Lucena netters seek world glory

The Lucena City Pickleball Club is set to leave next week to see action in the World Pickleball Championships at the Liga Tennis Sport Club in Bali, Indonesia from 19 to 24 September.

Bannered by Karl Zoleta, the older brother of Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Bien and Bambi Zoleta, the 15-man squad will be flying in two batches on Sunday and Tuesday to compete for glory and the $20,000 cash prize.

Zoleta will be competing in the mixed doubles event together with his daughter, Gaby, as well as in the 35+ category with Evan Villapando.
The 20-year-old Gaby, a former No. 1 age-group tennis player, will see action in the women's singles event while Anya Uy will compete in the men's play and Odi Tayag and John Eric Buhay will slug it out in the men's 50+ doubles event.

"She (Gaby) has a good chance of winning medals," said Zoleta, referring to his daughter who is also playing for College of Saint Benilde lawn tennis team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

"We are so excited to compete in this world event because we know that we have a strong team that trains regularly at our facility, the Zoleta Tennis Center, in Lucena City."

Other members of the team are Amanda Zoleta, Sorren Emprese, Natashja Emprese, Sommer Cena, Lyndon Cena, Aaaliyah Jullao, Pot Labay, Chel Labay and Ethel Villapando.