A surge of energy surrounded the Block Atrium of SM North EDSA as the SM Pickleball SuperSeries, powered by Toby’s Sports, wrapped up its third and final leg last June 22. For six straight days, the country’s fastest-growing racquet sport took over the mall, drawing a mix of seasoned athletes, casual players, curious spectators, and sports gear enthusiasts.
From June 17 to 22, players competed across Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions in a tightly contested tournament that featured strong representation from clubs all over Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Alongside the competition, hundreds joined the Open Play sessions held in the mornings and afternoons, highlighting pickleball’s growing appeal beyond core sports communities.
“The turnout showed us just how rapidly pickleball is catching on—from the clubs who train for it, to everyday mall goers trying it for the first time,” said Toby Claudio, President of Toby’s Sports. “This final leg felt like a true celebration of the sport and the community around it.”
Toby Claudio, President of Toby’s Sports, delivering his closing remarks at SM Pickleball SuperSeries Leg 3.
Beyond the Court: Pickleball Expo Draws Gear Enthusiasts
Complementing the games was the first-ever Pickleball Expo, where participants and spectators explored a curated showcase of paddles, bags, apparel, and accessories from top-tier brands including JOOLA, Franklin, Selkirk, Vatic and Toby’s Sports very own line of beginner and premium pickleball gear under the Toby’s Pro brand. Demo paddles were made available, allowing new players to get a feel for the sport while learning directly from brand reps and local athletes.
Andrea Tan, Head of Marketing and Customer Experience at Toby’s Sports; Toby Claudio, President of Toby’s Sports; Jocelyn Lapid-Clarino, Senior Assistant Vice President for Regional Operations at SM; and Joaquin San Agustin, Senior Vice President for Marketing at SM Supermalls, award the Novice Division champions, Vatic Prism, at the SM Pickleball SuperSeries Leg 3.
Ria Espiritu of Team Velaris North Tower, the Intermediate Division ADIDAS MVP, played with composure and intensity in the Intermediate Division championship match at SM Pickleball SuperSeries Leg 3, as her team claimed the title.
Champions Crowned Across All Divisions
The week concluded with the Grand Finals on June 22, featured live via Puso Pilipinas, Smart Sports, and Toby’s Sports Facebook pages. Winners were named across three competitive divisions:
Novice Division Champions: Vatic Prism
Intermediate Division Champions: Velaris North Tower
Advanced Division Champions: The Zone Green
Each team demonstrated grit, skill, and teamwork on the court—closing out the final leg of the SuperSeries with memorable matchups and sportsmanship.
(In front: Ricarte Santos, the Advanced Division ADIDAS MVP) The Advanced Division champions, The Zone Green, celebrate their win on the podium at SM Pickleball SuperSeries Leg 3 at SM North EDSA – The Block.
Partners Fuel the Movement
The success of the event was made possible through the continued support of partners Smart, ADIDAS, Puso Pilipinas, Gatorade, and Cignal, whose collaboration continues to propel pickleball into the national spotlight.
From competitive rallies to first-time swings, SM Pickleball SuperSeries Leg 3 offered a full-spectrum view of the sport’s rising popularity. As momentum builds, one thing is clear: pickleball in the Philippines is no longer just a trend—it’s becoming a movement.
