Nagpamalas ng dominanteng performance ang Lucena City Pickleball Club nang humakot ito ng limang medalya sa Oakley Hong Kong Open Pickleball Open Championships 2023 noong Nobyembre 3 hanggang 5 sa Hong Kong.
Pinangunahan ni College of Saint Benilde standout Gaby Zoleta, ang squad ay nag-uwi ng tatlong pilak at dalawang tansong medalya sa prestihiyosong dalawang araw na kaganapan laban sa pinakamahusay na pickleball netters mula sa Asya.
Si Zoleta, ang pamangkin ni Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Bien Zoleta, ay umabante sa final ngunit yumuko sa kababayang si Eren Louise Grace Penados, 20-21, para tumira sa silver medal sa 19+ women’s singles category.
Nasungkit ni Anya Uy ang pilak na medalya sa 19+ men’s singles category habang ang tandem nina John Eric Buhay at Odilon Tayag ay umangkin din ng pilak sa 50+ men’s doubles.
Si Uy ang lumabas na may panibagong podium finish matapos makipagtambal kay Sorren Emprese para angkinin ang bronze medal sa 19+ men’s doubles habang si Aaliyah Julao ay tumakas din na may bronze medal sa 19+ women’s singles category.
Sa kabila ng kabiguan na manalo ng ginto, ipinagmamalaki pa rin ni coach Karl Zoleta ang pagganap ng squad kung isasaalang-alang na sila ay nakasalansan laban sa ilang miyembro ng pambansang koponan sa ilalim ng mainit na araw ng Hong Kong.
“The team performed well overall but we weren’t ready when we realized that the tournament would be held outdoors since we would start training at 6 p.m. The younger players can handle it but not the older players who had to work during the daytime,” saad ng ama ni Gaby na si Karl.
“We are a club team, unlike our opponents which fielded national teams. We’re proud to say we can play in international tournaments,” dagdag niya.
“For us, since the game is addictive, we will make time to play. Our only break is on Sundays,” Karl said.
“This time, we need to work on the stamina of the players. Although we take our training seriously, we have to allot time to build their stamina and training for their conditioning,” sabi pa niya.
