Filipino Picklers Set to See Action for Southeast Asia Surge in MLP Australia
Even basketball-crazy Philippines is getting into pickleball. In fact, it now has some great, world-class picklers starting to make a mark internationally.
Two of them—Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa and Leander Lazaro—are even set to take part in the 2025 season of the Major League Pickleball Australia after getting drafted for the Southeast Asia Surge. This will be Lazaro’s second stint in the league, while Narvasa will make her debut this season—as team captain of the Surge no less.
“I’m thrilled because I really want to form an Asian team. Sobrang tiwala ko sa talents ng Asia. Madami pang magagaling na hindi nadi-discover kasi wala lang opportunity or means to tour. Being a captain means I can give them that shot,” said Narvasa on her captaincy of the Surge.
A Dream Come True
Lazaro, meanwhile, notes that this opportunity is a wish come true. And he is promising to put on a show.
“This has become our wish since we started playing in MLP Australia. I can’t wait for what we can bring to the team. You can expect and see a competitive and fun team, giving their best and playing free. I believe our team has a really good potential because of our chemistry,” Lazaro said.
Lazaro himself is quite the pickler, winning silver in the men’s singles and gold in the doubles advanced category at the World Pickleball Championships in Bali, Indonesia in 2021. This makes him the perfect complement to Narvasa.
“We both really know each other’s games and we can really communicate and execute our strategy well,” said Narvasa of her partnership with Lazaro. “I think it’s tough to play with teammates that have different views sa playing strategy, ‘yung iba hindi nag-a-adjust ng game or communicate. But we can adjust to each other’s game and communicate well so that is an adjustment.”
Joining the two Filipinos in Southeast Asia Surge are fellow Asians Lin Guang Sian of Taiwan and Vrushali Thakare of India. The squad will compete in the premier pro pickleball league in Australia. They will dispute best of the best status against five other teams in the tournament that offers a total prize pot of AD $1 million.
