If there’s one phrase that captures the Filipino character, it’s resilience. Filipinos all the time discover their manner by way of challenges and setbacks. Regardless of the scenario, belief the Filipino to determine it out.
Evidently, even within the rising sport of pickleball, that resilience is proving to be a defining edge for Filipinos.
High pickleball gamers Mackonner Dy and James Ignatowich, who had been within the nation for the SM Pickleball Superseries 2026, pointed to resilience and flexibility as traits that set Filipino athletes aside.
Dy, who’s simply 16, astutely defined to The Philippine Star how these qualities translate on to success on the courtroom: “These two issues are going to get you actually far in pickleball. As a result of like, the extra effort you set, the extra resilient you might be. Like, you simply get extra balls. And that will get you to the subsequent stage very quick, in my view. That’s top-of-the-line methods. So, I believe Filipinos do have a bonus in that manner.”
Ignatowich, a adorned American participant with over 30 PPA medals, echoed Dy’s sentiment whereas additionally lauding the Filipino’s capacity to maneuver deftly and gracefully as one other optimistic high quality.
“Completely agree. I believe [Filipinos] transfer their toes fairly properly. I believe they prefer to play. They play with extra enthusiasm,” he stated. “And I believe it reveals really in the best way that they play. As a result of they’re all the time attempting to get their toes behind the ball. And I believe should you play with enjoyable, you’re going to play higher. You often play higher once you’re having enjoyable.”
That resilience isn’t nearly effort—it’s about neighborhood. As an example this level, Dy famous how Filipinos present unmatched assist for his or her athletes.
“They’re, like, keen to journey. There’s most likely individuals who’ve come out a minimum of two hours simply to get right here. For me, , for People that’s manner too lengthy. I’m not even going to drive an hour to observe. That’s an excessive amount of for me,” he stated. “I believe lots of people are extra keen to assist and concentrate. The neighborhood is tremendous nice.”
Ignatowich added that the heat of Filipinos makes the game thrive domestically. “It’s attention-grabbing how within the Philippines, everyone’s somewhat bit nicer than within the US. I believe that’s one of many the explanation why pickleball goes to get actually fashionable right here, as a result of pickleball is such a social sport,” he defined
Resilience, adaptability, and neighborhood—these should not simply traits for pickleball, however hallmarks of the Filipino spirit. And pickleball standouts like Leander Lazaro, Anna Clarice Patrimonio, and Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa are definitely displaying these similar traits.
