By Edwin Rollon
Multi-titled tennis champion Johnny Arcilla came out of retirement to showcase his skills in pickleball — a fast-rising racket sport not only in the Philippines but around the world.
The seven-time Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open champion and Southeast Asian Games veteran was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the inaugural draft of the Pickle Yard Conference League (PYCL) — the country’s first-ever professional pickleball league.
The organizers held the league draft and official launch on February 28 at Vista Mall SOMO.
Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the eight founding teams of the PYCL, selected Arcilla, a local tennis icon, first overall, placing him at the forefront of the league’s effort to elevate the sport to a professional level in the country.
Other teams competing in the league’s inaugural season include Dentacare Pearly White, Philex Vanguards, IAM Worldwide Warriors, Born2WinPH Forex Bulls, Pertua Stallions, Fortrust Masters, and Cathay Land Hacienderos.
“I was overwhelmed being the top pick. I’m just doing my job to help the team and contribute to the development of the sport,” Arcilla said.
Pickleball was introduced in the Philippines only eight years ago, but the sport has grown rapidly. Its national governing body recently gained regular membership from both the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission last year.
Other prominent tennis personalities also joined the league. Ana Clarice Patrimonio and Bambi Zoleta were among the 48 players drafted from a pool of more than 200 hopefuls who participated in the tryouts.
The 24-year-old Patrimonio was selected by Cathay Land Hacienderos as the No. 1 pick in the women’s division and eighth overall, while the 29-year-old Zoleta was drafted first in the third round by the IAM Worldwide Warriors.
PYCL Chief Marketing Officer Jorge Tenorio said top draft picks will receive a monthly salary of P40,000, while the second and third picks will earn P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.
“Actually, salary is not the main issue here. All players are part of the pickleball community with a common mission of developing the sport at the highest level,” Tenorio said.
“The gathering marks a significant milestone in the league’s inaugural season, reinforcing PYCL’s commitment to elevating the sport through a structured, long-season professional competition,” he added.
Tenorio also noted that PYCL 2026 will feature corporate-backed franchise teams, a formal draft system, and a multi-month competitive calendar designed to professionalize pickleball in the Philippines.
“The league aims to provide athletes with expanded opportunities, consistent match play, media exposure, and community engagement,” he said.
The tournament is set to open on March 7 at Pickle Yard SOMO in Bacoor, Cavite.
