The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has thrown its full support behind the 2026 Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation Tour of Luzon presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, an event that promises to be more exciting and challenging than its 2025 revival, with organizers doubling their efforts to elevate the race.

By Edwin Rollon

It takes a village to raise a champion—and at the heart of Pandacan, that village is growing fast, one pickleball rally at a time.

From a modest birthday wish to a full-fledged sports hub, Goldentop Sports Center has emerged as one of the driving forces behind the rapid rise of pickleball in the local scene—turning a once-quiet warehouse into a vibrant home for athletes, enthusiasts, and a new generation of players.

For Kristoffer Albert Moreno, the journey began with a simple plan: build a private tennis court.

“It all started when my wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told her I wanted a piece of land where I could build my own tennis court,” said Moreno, a young entrepreneur raised in Paco, Manila, near the historic Philippine Columbian Association (PCA).

A longtime tennis enthusiast, Moreno even became a PCA member just to immerse himself in the sport. But as he searched for a suitable location, a shift was already happening around him.

Friends and fellow players—many of whom had transitioned to pickleball—encouraged him to consider the fast-growing sport instead. What began as a suggestion soon turned into a defining decision.

In just under three months, Moreno transformed a vacant warehouse in Beata, Pandacan, into Goldentop Sports Center, opening its doors in November last year.

At its core is the now well-known “Pink Court,” a bold symbol of the center’s identity and energy. The facility quickly earned the nickname “House of Champions,” not just for its design, but for the level of play and community it fosters.

Goldentop has since attracted a mix of elite names and everyday players. Among those seen on its courts are tennis legend Johnny Arcilla and PBA great Alvin Patrimonio, who has even shared the game with his daughter Clarisse—an indication of pickleball’s cross-generational appeal.

But beyond the star power, it is the accessibility of the sport that continues to drive its growth.

Pickleball, a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has gained popularity for its easy learning curve and social nature. It allows beginners to join in quickly, while still offering enough depth to challenge seasoned athletes.

For Moreno, the investment in Goldentop goes beyond business—it’s personal.

“Malaki ang investment, but it’s worth it because my family enjoys it. Even my 10-year-old son, Shawn, is now actively playing,” he said.

That family-first, community-driven approach has become the foundation of Goldentop’s identity. Open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, the center has become a melting pot of players from all walks of life—young professionals, former athletes, and first-timers alike.

More than just a sports facility, Goldentop represents a larger movement.

As pickleball continues to gain momentum across the country, venues like Goldentop are proving that the sport’s real strength lies not only in competition but in connection.

Because in the end, building champions isn’t just about talent—it’s about community.

And in Goldentop, that community is just getting started.

Perry Mariano

The local billiards community mourns the loss of Cifiriano ‘Perry’ Mariano, one of its most respected figures and widely regarded as the “Godfather” of Philippine billiards, who died in a shooting incident on Tuesday.

HealthAsia marketing manager and operation head Samantha Padida, Zedric Honorica and Dr. Norman Afable.

By Lucio Gabor

Philippine cycling’s newest record-holder Zedrick Ivan Honorica is setting his sights on bigger international goals while calling for stronger support following his historic performance in the Asian Track Cycling Championships in Tagaytay Velodrome.

Officials and supporters of TPA.

The Pink Argonauts (TPA) continued to make waves in marine conservation and community development by staging its third consecutive Golf and Dive Charity Program, highlighted by a successful golf tournament and diving seminar recently held at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club and in Anilao, Mabini, Batangas.

When UAAP MVP Kaye Emana stepped onto the courts of the WTA126 Philippine Women’s Open last January at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center, her talent was undeniable, but her discomfort was visible.