Pickleball is moving beyond casual matches and into a more competitive era in the Philippines. Supporting this growing momentum, Skechers has partnered with the Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) as its Official Footwear Partner for the tour’s inaugural season, helping bring the sport to more athletes and communities nationwide.
Announced on September 28 at the Velaris Residences Show Gallery, the partnership comes ahead of MPPT’s debut season, which will feature 12 teams competing across five legs in different cities and provinces. For Skechers Country Manager Sue Pasustento, the collaboration represents a long-term commitment to the sport and its potential to create opportunities for Filipino athletes.
Supporting Performance And Athlete Development
Skechers has been involved in pickleball even before its recent rise in popularity, becoming one of the first major global footwear brands to develop a dedicated pickleball shoe line. The brand also works with top-ranked professional players, bringing its experience to the Philippine market through products such as the Viper Court footwear line, designed to support comfort, stability, and movement on the court.
Through the MPPT partnership, Skechers will contribute to the tour’s cash prizes and provide footwear for the MPPT team and raffle activities. The brand will also support the competition as a whole, with two to three Skechers-sponsored teams expected to participate, including the General Santos team of Jinky Pacquiao.
“We are here because we believe in pickleball. Not because it is popular today, but because we believe in where it can go tomorrow,” Pasustento said, emphasizing the brand’s focus on authenticity, empowerment, and performance.
Bringing Pickleball To More Communities
MPPT’s first season opens on October 3 and 4 at Pickleball Central (PCPH) in Angeles, Pampanga. The tour will continue at Tagaytay City Velodrome on October 17 and 18, Abra Riverbanks Pickleball Hub in La Paz, Abra, on November 7 and 8, and Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor City, Cavite, on November 14 and 15. The fifth and final leg is scheduled for November 28 and 29, with the venue yet to be announced.
With approximately six to 10 players per team, the tour could bring together as many as 72 to 120 athletes. Beyond competition, MPPT aims to help players develop their skills and represent their respective cities while introducing the sport to more communities.
Building on its long-term partnership with the Philippine Pickleball Federation (PPF), Skechers plans to support pickleball through tournaments, athlete development, community activations, and clinics. Together, Skechers and MPPT aim to help the sport grow from grassroots participation to higher-level competition, giving more Filipinos the chance to discover their potential on the court.
