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| Long Kuan, Tina Mariano, Jeff Tin, and Al Agra team up to back the Parañaque Titans in the MPPT. Luis Fabregar |
LAS PIÑAS—With the way the roster took shape, some may argue that the Parañaque club that will compete in the MPPT Invitational could be the team to beat.
Officially launched on Wednesday night, the team to be known as the Titans wanted to live up to the moniker already by signing up arguably the biggest names in pickleball right now.
Leading the charge is national team member Leander Lazaro, who was named one of the captains.
"Thankful ako na maging part ng MPPT and Parañaque team, and very excited kami sa mga upcoming na mangyayari sa tournaments," Lazaro told Dugout Philippines during an open training session at Tela Park Pickleball Center.
While they represent Parañaque, the Titans chose Tela Park here, managed by franchise co-owner Long Kuan, as their home so they can also attract a fanbase here as well.
Lazaro added that putting up the club was a collaborative idea between him, Sarah Lim, and Tina Mariano.
"Nag-start ito sa aming tatlo nina Tina and Sarah, and kami yung nag-push kay Tina na sana makasali tayo dito and maka-form tayo ng team na competitive," Lazaro further said.
With more friends chiming in, the Parañaque franchise was eventually founded and expressed its intent to join the MPPT.
Mariano joined Kuan, Jeff Tin, and obstacle course racing president Al Agra in the ownership team, while Lim was named the other co-captain.
Completing the stacked roster are former Davis Cup campaigner Ruben Gonzales, Nik Isagan, Fatima Amirul, Jessica Agra, CJ Luna, Matt Navarro, Danica Bautista, and Mikhyla Cruz.
The question, though: Why is the team only being founded now, when this lineup can tear everyone apart in the PYCL?
"Yung isang league, hindi siya aligned sa mga current schedules namin, and hindi siya flexible for us. Yung MPPT, napaka-flexible ng schedule," Lazaro further said, adding that the mere fact that the MPPT is founded by Filipino sports legend Manny Pacquiao adds more prestige to it.
He further said that the inaugural MPPT staging, which begins on Oct. 3 and 4 in Angeles, will come right after his international tournament duties.
"Sobrang pasok siya sa schedule namin, and end of the year na rin," Lazaro continued.
Meanwhile, he said that the club is accepting the "favorites" tag, but he added that they are also bracing for a tough challenge from other teams.
"Medyo accepted na namin na kami yung favorites, but accepted namin na hindi kami unbeatable. Lagi kaming pwedeng matalo, so yun yung magpapa-motivate sa amin para hindi maging complacent," Lazaro said, adding that Abra, Bangued, Tacloban, and Batangas loom as threats as well.
As of this posting, the four aforementioned clubs have yet to reveal their rosters.
In conclusion, Lazaro said that he is excited about the mind games that would ensue when building the active rosters for each game day.
"Yung goal ko personally is to explore mga new partnerships and new pairings, and excited din akong malaman kung ano pa yung possible na maging lineup namin. Masaya kasi gusto ko yung mga parang chess game kasi yung format niya is very, very interesting," Lazaro further said.
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