Team Velaris Wins PCL Rising Stars U19 Sectional, Earns Asia Finals Berth

Team Velaris clawed past Dinkasaurs, 21-19, in the PCL Rising Stars U19 Sectional final at the Net and Paddle courts in Cebu City, earning a berth to the PCL Asia Grand Finals in Hainan Island, China this April.

The final was anything but straightforward. Velaris dropped the women's doubles match early, then steadied itself with disciplined net play and well-timed drives to take the men's doubles and carry that momentum into the decisive mixed doubles. The championship duel was packed with extended rallies, clever third-shot drops, and precise kitchen dinks that kept the crowd on edge until the final exchange, with tournament directors calling it one of the weekend's tightest and most consequential contests.

According to The Philippine Star, the Cebu lineup was powered by Alva Bual, Mervic Jean Indagacan, Rose Bacaron, and Sun Lacida. Two weeks earlier in Davao, a Velaris squad featuring Shesha Bree Biñas, Chrystelle Marjh Elisan, Izzy Lacida, and Jacob Cagas had delivered a nearly identical finish, edging SABR 23-21 on March 1 to win the first PCL leg at Pickle Fest 2026. The twin victories solidify Velaris's standing as one of the Philippines' premier youth pickleball programs and secured the team at least one additional slot in the Asia Grand Finals.

The stakes attached to that Davao win illustrate what qualifiers stand to gain. For dominating that sectional, Velaris earned a US$1,000 development grant from the Asia Elite Pickleball Academy, roughly P57,000, along with paddles, balls, and official apparel. PCL Asia will cover airfare, local transportation, and accommodations for the qualifying squads heading to Hainan.

The Cebu event also featured competitive Open age-group action. Jin Hernandez and Robert Nobleza won the 20-plus men's doubles, beating Roddick Litang and Anthony Byrd, 15-8. Juan Carlo Pantua and Aldrin Quintero dominated the 35-plus men's bracket, 11-4 over Robbie Martinez and Winn Htun. Patricia Adaza and Macy Serrano took the 35-plus women's doubles, 11-6 against Mary Jane Elisan and Aubrey Rivera. Pantua then paired with Adaza to claim the Open mixed doubles gold, again 11-4, this time over Rivera and Rafael Rodriguez.

Team Velaris now turns toward the PCL Asia Grand Finals, where the program's young squads are expected to face the strongest rising pickleball talent across the region.