Phl picklers bring home five medals

The Philippines picked up five medals, including a gold in the 35+ men’s doubles open, in the Hebi International Pickleball Invitational Tournament over the weekend in China.

Dino Jimenez and Davis Alano make up the doubles squad.

Jimenez, who started playing pickleball eight months ago, even got a bronze medal in the 35+ men’s singles open.

The 48-year-old pickler told DAILY TRIBUNE that he had to dig deep given the quality of the opposition.

“The competition was very, very tough. We were just lucky because the opponents were so much younger than me,” Jimenez said in a phone conversation.

“Coach Francis Capati convinced me to try the sport. In the competition, we were all drawing our strength from the fact that we were representing the Philippines.”

Jimenez’s partner Alano also got a bronze after joining forces with Kim Ivor Saraza in the 19+ men’s doubles open.

Anna Clarice Patrimonio pocketed a silver when she competed in the 19+ women’s singles open while Madeline Ramos-Saraza and Patricia Raymundo also got the bronze in the 19+ women’s doubles open.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian Games medalist Bambi Zoleta finished fourth in both the 19+ women’s singles open and the 19+ women’s doubles open with Patrimonio.

Also getting fourth place were Ken Unique Dela Cruz and Patricia Raymundo in the 19+ mixed doubles open

Dela Cruz even finished fifth in the 19+ men’s doubles open with Christian Joshua Luna with Saraza also finishing in fifth place in the 19+ mixed doubles open with Medeleine Saraza. Ivan Suing