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Kampeon ang Padel Pilipinas at National Team Members na sina Tao Yee Tan at Marian Capadocia sa Female Pro Category ng Asia Pacific Padel Tour (APPT) Grand Slam 2024 na ginanap sa Singapore noong ika-3 hanggang ika-6 ng Oktubre. Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na nagkampeon ang isang All-Filipina Team sa kabuuan ng APPT.
Tinalo nila Tan at Capadocia ang katunggaling Japanese-Indonesian team na sina Kotomi Ozawa at Beatrice Gumulya sa iskor na 6-2, 1-6, 7-5.
Naging susi ang maayos na laro at teamwork ng dalawa sa kabuuan ng torneo upang makamit nila ang kampeonato. Sa quarterfinals, tinalo nila ang Russian team na sina Victoria Fedorova at Anastasiia Ryzhova sa loob ng dalawang set, 6-2, 6-2; at nanalo silang muli sa two sets sa semis kontra kina Natalia Oxley and Constanza Kokorelis.
Nagpasalamat si Capadocia sa kanilang pagkapanalo: “I am so thankful for all the love, support, and encouragement the Padel Pilipinas team and Play Padel Community have shown me and Coach Tao Yee during our finals match in APPT Singapore. A huge thank you to Senator Pia whose presence, both on and off the court, gave us strength. She cheered with so much passion and belief in us, which helped push us to compete at our best. Facing the top seed was tough, but having such an incredible group of friends, family, and padel fans behind us made it an experience we will never forget.”
“There’s a quote that says, it takes a village to build a champion. Ito yun. Yung padel community, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sir Derrick Santos, Sir Duane Santos, and all the coaches and teammates po. Dito ko na-feel na meron akong village na pwede sandalan. Dito ko na-feel na merong village na sumusuporta sa akin. We are very thankful sa Play Padel and Padel Pilipinas,” dagdag pa ni Capadocia.
“To the entire Padel Pilipinas community, thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Whether you were watching live, sending messages, or cheering us on from afar, your energy kept us going throughout the tournament. It reminds us how special and close our padel family is, and we’re so proud to represent you all,” pasasalamat naman ni Tan.
Kinilala naman ni Padel Pilipinas Secretary-General Atty. Duane Santos ang kahalagahan ng pagkapanalo nina Tan at Capadocia sa APPT: “They’ve both only been playing padel for a combined three years more or less – Tao Yee with two years and Marian with less than one. That’s the reason why it’s even more amazing.”
Ikinatuwa din ni Padel Pilipinas Head Coach Bryan Casao ang tagumpay ng mga atleta, at ibinahagi ang matinding ensayong pinagdaanan ng dalawa: “Their training has paid off in the best way possible. They went in mentally, emotionally, and physically ready. It’s not only a win for Padel Pilipinas but for the whole country. ”
Ang Padel Pilipinas ang opisyal na padel federation ng bansa na kinikilala ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) at ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Nagdaos din sila ng isang watch party sa kasagsagan ng APPT Finals sa Play Padel Mandaluyong, kung saan kabilang si Padel Pilipinas Founder Senator Pia S. Cayetano sa mga tumutok sa livestream ng laro.
“So happy for our girls, Tao Yee and Marian. I couldn’t be more proud of what they achieved – the first All-Filipina Champs in the APPT,” ani Senadora Cayetano.
Ipinaliwanag din niya ang kahalagahan ng panalong ito: “This win inspires not only our country’s padel community but also the new generation of young girls watching this.”
Ang tagumpay na ito sa APPT Grand Slam – Singapore, pati na ang naunang panalong silver ng national team sa Asia Pacific Padel Cup sa Bali, Indonesia ay patunay sa hindi lamang patuloy na pag-unlad ng padel sa bansa, kundi pati na rin sa potensyal ng ating mga atleta na makipagsabayan sa mga internasyonal na kompetisyon. Dahil dito, umaasa ang Padel Pilipinas na lalo pang mabibigyan ng pansin ang kanilang grassroots programs, pagtukoy o pag-scout ng lokal na talento, pagtaguyod ng padel, at pagkamit ng tagumpay sa iba pang mga internasyonal na kompetisyon. (HATAW Sports)
