Key Points:
- **Alfonso Siklab** joins 11 other founding teams in the new **MPPT**.
- Star players like **Kim "Picklebear" Sazara** headline the men's squad.
- The team aims to boost local pride and promote **Alfonso, Cavite**.
- The **Manny Pacquiao**-backed league kicks off its first leg in October.
Alfonso Siklab: A New Force on the Court
The official announcement unfolded at Villa Merci in Barangay Esperanza Ibaba, a significant moment for the burgeoning sport in the **Philippines**. **Alfonso Mayor Randy Salamat**, the team owner, and team manager **Keng Gaspar** presided over the contract signing, cementing the team's professional entry into the **MPPT**. This squad isn't just playing; they're representing their community with pride and ambition.
Elite Talent: The Men's Roster Revealed
The men's team features a formidable blend of experience and local prowess. International tennis and pickleball champion **Kim Sazara**, affectionately known as “Picklebear,” leads the charge. His inclusion immediately elevates **Alfonso Siklab's** competitive edge. Alongside him are strong contenders **Red Directo**, **Al Quiza**, and promising homegrown talent **Matthew Lao**.
Women's Powerhouse Lineup Ready to Shine
The women's roster is equally impressive, showcasing depth and skill. **Medelene Sazara** brings a high level of play, while **Novi Melendez** stands out as a decorated athlete and respected coach. **Cindy Nuguit**, captain of the Perpetual Help Altas soft tennis and lawn tennis squads and a brand ambassador for Decathlon Philippines, adds significant experience. Rounding out the team is local standout **Dania Lee Abjuela**, ensuring a powerful and balanced squad.
More Than a Game: Alfonso's Community Vision
Mayor Salamat emphasized a "family" approach to the team, highlighting that the players will not only compete but also actively promote **Alfonso**. They are set to visit local businesses and showcase the town's unique charm, fostering a strong connection between the team and its community. The squad itself was meticulously assembled through a series of rigorous tryouts, with training already in full swing at the state-of-the-art Villa Merci pickleball courts.
The Grand Stage: Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour Takes Off
**Alfonso Siklab** proudly takes its place among 11 other founding teams in the **MPPT**, a groundbreaking new league spearheaded by boxing legend **Manny Pacquiao**. This ambitious tour includes teams from Abra, Batangas, Bangued, Bacoor, Camarines Norte, General Santos City, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pampanga, Rizal, and Tacloban, all vying for national supremacy. Pacquiao himself envisions the tour as a vital platform to significantly grow pickleball nationwide and provide Filipino athletes with a professional stage to shine.
What to Expect from the MPPT Season
The highly anticipated first leg of the **MPPT** is scheduled for **October 3-4** in **Angeles**, promising thrilling action right from the start. Five legs are planned throughout the year, building up to an exciting climax. The top eight teams from these legs will then advance to the final phase in **December**, where the inaugural champions of this historic tour will be crowned. For **Alfonso**, this is more than just a debut; it's a statement of community pride, a celebration of local identity, and a crucial step in cementing pickleball's place on the Philippine sporting map.
