Davao Pickleball Event Ends with Historic Triple-Winner Finish
Cydnie Casintahan, Nicole Flores and Alexis Samson shared Amaranta Sweats Pickleball Tournament honors after finishing with identical 6-2 records. Their matching performances produced a three-way deadlock atop the standings during the three-day competition held across two Davao City venues.
Casintahan, Flores and Samson Share Amaranta Honors
Jeepy P. Compio’s SunStar Davao coverage detailed how Casintahan, Flores and Samson each produced six victories across eight matches. Their identical 75-percent winning rates resulted in shared tournament honors and a split of the P40,000 first-place prize.
The format rewarded sustained performance across multiple matches instead of allowing one individual result to determine the final standings. Every victory remained significant because overall records and winning percentages separated players throughout the tournament’s closely contested leaderboard.

Image from: SunStar Davao
Percentage Format Rewards Consistency Across Matches
Percentage-based standings require players to recover quickly from defeats because one setback does not automatically eliminate championship opportunities. Sustaining strong results against different opponents therefore becomes more valuable than producing one exceptional performance during a longer competitive schedule.
Taghap, Neñera and Bañanola Complete Leading Finishers
Police Maj. Cris Ian Taghap secured second place after recording four victories and two defeats across six tournament matches. His 67-percent winning rate placed him behind the three leaders while earning P20,000 for his overall performance.
Entrepreneur Noe Neñera II and James Bañanola shared third after completing eight matches with identical 5-3 records. Their 63-percent winning rates earned both players P10,000 and extended the shared-finishing pattern beyond the three-way tie for first.
Different Match Totals Shape Final Standings
Taghap completed fewer matches than the first- and third-place finishers but secured second through his stronger overall winning percentage. Comparing percentages instead of victory totals allowed players with different match counts to remain competitive within the same standings structure.
Three-Day Tournament Brings Davao Players Together
The Amaranta Sweats Pickleball Tournament ran from August 21 through 23 across two established playing venues in Davao City. Powerplay Sports Central hosted tournament action before the concluding day moved to Arena Athletics along Carlos P. Garcia Highway.
Family members, students, professionals, friends and enthusiasts joined the competition, creating a field extending beyond one demographic or experience level. Mixed-age participation reflected pickleball’s ability to accommodate players whose strengths may involve placement, anticipation, touch, positioning, movement, or athleticism.
Multiple Venues Support Wider Community Participation
Using multiple venues gave participants different competitive environments while allowing the three-day tournament to accommodate its broader community field. Organized events also provide recreational players with structured opportunities to experience match pressure beyond ordinary open-play sessions and informal games.
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Sportsmanship Shapes Amaranta Pickleball Experience
Tournament chair Clevin Joy G. Conde emphasized development and sportsmanship while encouraging participants to treat mistakes as opportunities for improvement. His message reflected pickleball’s rapid scoring rhythm, where players must reset quickly instead of allowing previous rallies to affect execution.
“Remember that every point is a lesson. Sometimes we win, sometimes we miss, but we always get another chance to try again.”
Conde also emphasized relationships formed through competition, describing friendships and shared experiences as important parts of the tournament’s broader purpose. Competitive goals and social participation can coexist when organized events provide meaningful matches without excluding players pursuing primarily recreational experiences.
“In the game and in life, it’s not always about the prize, but about the friendships, challenges, and memories we create along the way.”
Quick Mental Resets Matter During Competitive Matches
Pickleball’s short rallies and rapid scoring changes give players limited time to dwell on mistakes before another point begins. Maintaining emotional control can therefore protect shot selection and positioning when closely contested games create sudden shifts in momentum.
Local Events Strengthen Davao Pickleball Development
Community tournaments provide an important competitive step for players who begin through recreational sessions before pursuing more structured match environments. Facing unfamiliar opponents allows developing players to test shot selection, court positioning, anticipation, and decision-making beyond their regular playing groups.
Cross-generational participation can also strengthen local communities because sustainable growth becomes less dependent on one narrow demographic of players. Amaranta combined rankings and prizes with social participation, creating several entry points for Davao players seeking different competitive experiences.
Cross-Generational Participation Builds Sustainable Growth
Regular local tournaments can connect recreational participation with stronger competition by giving developing players achievable opportunities for progression. Broader age participation also helps clubs maintain active player pools while creating relationships that encourage continued involvement beyond individual events.
Analytical Breakdown: Building the Game Together
Percentage-based tournament formats reward consistent decision-making across multiple matches instead of relying on a single standout performance. Players must adjust to different opponents, maintain focus under pressure, and recover quickly from setbacks throughout the competition.
Community tournaments like the Amaranta event also strengthen local pickleball by bringing together players from different ages and experience levels. Regular competition gives developing athletes valuable match experience while helping clubs build stronger connections that encourage long-term participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Amaranta Sweats Pickleball Tournament?
Cydnie Casintahan, Nicole Flores and Alexis Samson shared first place after each finished with a 6-2 record.
How much was the Amaranta pickleball top prize?
The three first-place finishers shared the P40,000 top prize after posting identical 75-percent winning percentages.
Who finished second in the Amaranta tournament?
Police Maj. Cris Ian Taghap finished second with a 4-2 record and received P20,000.
Where was the Amaranta pickleball tournament held?
Powerplay Sports Central hosted early competition before the final day moved to Arena Athletics in Matina Crossing, Davao City.
How were Amaranta tournament players ranked?
Tournament standings were determined through player winning percentages and overall win-loss records across their scheduled matches.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from SunStar Davao.













