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| The setbacks due to the pandemic paved the way for Lauren Mercado's career-defining shift from basketball to pickleball. |
MANILA--Lauren Mercado may have already set her basketball career goals, like a stint in AAU and possibly hopes of getting a call-up from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas for a Gilas Pilipinas stint.
However, a major setback occurred when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, essentially canceling basketball leagues unless done through a bubble for a couple of years, including AAU.
As lockdowns began to loosen, though, Mercado began checking out pickleball, setting up a huge redirection in her athletic stint.
Fast forward to today, and she is now one of the fastest-rising pickleball stars, winning tournaments overseas.
And she is doing all of these at a very young age of 17.
"I've actually been playing pro for the last two years now, and I've been traveling a lot more internationally. The sport is growing," Mercado told reporters in a recent pickleball clinic at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay.
She spearheaded a series of pickleball clinics at various SM malls during that time.
When asked how she was able to transition to pickleball smoothly despite having no tennis experience at all before, Mercado said she just used her instincts playing the point guard position in basketball.
“I think my court vision helps with basketball ‘cause I was a point guard, so I think that helps with just being on the court and seeing the shots I have to hit. And also my footwork as well. Especially when doing singles, you’re doing a lot of baseline-to-baseline moving, and going up to the kitchen is a lot of movement. So that definitely helps with basketball,” Mercado said.
Her tip to newcomers in pickleball: "Don't be shy to pick up a paddle. We all start somewhere, and just go try it out."
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