By MARK REY MONTEJO
Team Philippines showcased its deadly form and dominated its rivals on the way to ruling the 2025 Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC) in Selangor, Malaysia Sunday, Aug. 31.
The Nationals punctuated their stellar showing with a 3-0 conquest of Hong Kong, 3-0, in the first three categories of the final to capture the crown.
Durable tennis champion Johnny Arcilla provided inspiration to his younger teammates – Argil Lance Cañizares, Joanna Tao Yee Tan, and Mariam Yasmin Garsin – who all responded with gusto to reign in the male, female, and mixed events.
There, the Filipino smashers notched a similar 2-0 win in three games to bring the Hong Kong bets to the exit doors.
The 45-year-old Arcilla, proud owner of 10 PCA titles in a legendary career spanning more than two decade, was named men’s MVP, while Tan was women’s MVP.
In advancing to the finals, the Nationals went perfect in Group A elims after cruising past Pakistan (5-0), Hong Kong (4-1), and host Malaysia (4-1).
They carried the momentum in the playoffs where they dismantled South Korea (5-0) in the quarterfinal before scoring a commanding 3-0 semifinal victory against Malaysia (3-0).
Aside from Arcilla, Cañizare, Tan, and Garsin, the PH crew was composed of Abdulqoahar Allian, Mac Gulfo, Derrick Santos, Bryan Saarenas, Fritz Chris Verdad, Jed Vallie Rayne Aquino, Danna Mariella Abad, and Joshea Dominique Malazarte.
