CEBU CITY — Team Velaris reaffirmed its status as one of the country’s rising pickleball forces after edging Dinkasaurs, 21-19, to win the PCL Rising Stars U19 Sectional Tournament at the Net and Paddle courts over the weekend.
Powered by Alva Bual, Mervic Jean Indagacan, Rose Bacaron and Sun Lacida, Team Velaris showed composure in a championship duel marked by extended rallies, sharp third-shot drops and precise kitchen dinks that kept the crowd on edge until the final exchange.
The Velaris squad recovered from an early setback in women’s doubles before responding with disciplined net play and well-timed drives to claim the men’s doubles and the decisive mixed doubles matches, sealing the gold medal and earning a berth in the PCL Asia Grand Finals.
The victory came two weeks after another dramatic win for the Velaris program in Davao, where Shesha Bree Biñas, Chrystelle Marjh Elisan, Izzy Lacida and Jacob Cagas pulled off a 23-21 victory over the SABR squad in the first PCL leg.
With the twin victories, Team Velaris further strengthened its case as one of the country’s premier youth pickleball squads while securing another slot in the PCL Asia Grand Finals set in Hainan Island, China, in April.
On its way to the finals of the centerpiece event capping Pickle Fest 2026, organized by Kosmas Athletic Ventures Corp. and Sunrise Events Inc., Team Velaris topped Flight B in the elimination round and narrowly edged Dinkasaurs, 15-13, in total points to secure an automatic semifinal berth.
In Flight A, Cebu Pickle Warriors booked the other outright semifinal berth with 13 points, slipping past Archangel Pickleball Center, which pooled 10 points.
Dinkasaurs fought its way back into title contention through the knockout round, sweeping Toledo City Pickleball Club, 3-0, in the quarterfinal dream breaker, while Archangel Pickleball Center secured the last Final Four seat with a gritty 3-2 win over DND Zamboanga.
Velaris and Dinkasaurs then eliminated Archangel Pickleball Center and Cebu Pickle Warriors, respectively, to arrange the gold medal showdown.
Dinkasaurs struck first in the back-and-forth finals, winning the women’s doubles behind crisp net volleys and consistent baseline returns.
But Velaris refused to fold.
Bual and Lacida responded with aggressive serves, penetrating drives and controlled kitchen play to capture the men’s doubles and set the stage for a pair of tension-filled mixed doubles matches.
Velaris then relied on patience at the non-volley zone and precise shot placement to outlast Dinkasaurs in a nerve-racking finish that delivered the title.
The PCL Rising Stars U19 tournament serves as a qualifying stage for young Filipino players seeking a place in the regional finals, with this year’s Cebu leg positioned as the featured event of Pickle Fest 2026.
With the victory, Team Velaris now turns its focus to the PCL Asia Grand Finals, where its two youth squads hope to showcase their all-around game against some of the region’s top emerging pickleball teams.
