PSC Chief, Prominent Personalities Headline Daily Tribune’s First Pickleball Tournament
The Daily Tribune is throwing its first pickleball tournament—and it is bringing out the heavyweights.
The 1st ArenaPlus-KaTribu Pickleball Tournament is set for June 12 at The Dink Lab Elite inside All Home in Kawit, Cavite, dubbed “Dink-dependence Day” in a nod to the country’s 128th Independence Day celebration. Close to 300 participants are expected across beginner, novice, low intermediate, and high intermediate divisions for men and women—and the guest list is anything but ordinary.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, Senator Mark Villar, former Senator Cynthia Villar, and Philippine Pickleball Federation president Shery Anne “Shawy” Cu are all confirmed to attend, joined by nine Miss Earth 2026 candidates who will be courtside for the occasion. Daily Tribune president Willie Fernandez will join Gregorio and the Villars in personally handing out trophies, medals, and cash prizes of up to ₱15,000, alongside premium rewards including hotel accommodations, round-trip tickets from Manila to Narita, gift certificates, and food vouchers.
Tournament director Kent Octavo—a familiar face in the local pickleball community—will oversee the competition and is also expected to offer guidance to players new to the sport. He was direct about one thing: slots are going fast.
“We encourage the members of the pickleball community to register as playing slots are filling fast,” Octavo said.
Daily Tribune sports editor Julius Manicad, who is organising the event, said the tournament aligns with a broader vision shared by the PSC, the Villars, and the PPF.
“Our organisation is aligned with the vision of PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, Senators Mark and Cynthia Villar, and the PPF of using pickleball as a tool to promote friendship, camaraderie, and healthy and active lifestyle within the local community,” Manicad said.
The ceremonial serve will be led by Manicad alongside Cu, the Miss Earth candidates, and ArenaPlus chief Erick Su. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino have also been invited to the awarding ceremony, set for around 6 p.m.
“We are delighted to formally invite them to celebrate this milestone event with us,” Manicad said. “Their presence will truly elevate the day and inspire our competitors to bring their best.”
Registration is set at ₱1,500 per player and includes a competition shirt, snacks, drinks, and freebies from sponsors ArenaPlus, the Philippine Sports Commission, and JC Premiere. The tournament also counts the Villar Foundation, Cebu Pacific, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation, Hotel 101, DITO, Pascual Laboratories, HEAD, and the Department of Finance among its supporters.
