Three-Set Thriller Sends Philippines Into Padel Final Four
Joshea Malazarte and Danna Abad reached the Asian Games padel semifinals after surviving a three-set quarterfinal against Iran. The Filipinas moved within one victory of the championship match during padel’s inaugural appearance at the continental Games.
Malazarte, Abad Defeat Iran in Three-Set Quarterfinal
Luisa Morales of One Sports covered the Philippine pair’s 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 quarterfinal victory during Thursday’s competition in Nagoya. Malazarte and Abad defeated Iran’s Saba Najafi Dehaghi and Neda Mohammad Taghipour after their match required a deciding set.
The Filipinas controlled the opening frame before their Iranian opponents responded by taking the second set, forcing another set. Malazarte and Abad recovered during the decider, matching their opening-set score with another 6-2 victory to secure semifinal qualification.
Image from: @OneSportsPHL / X
Filipinas Recover to Win Deciding Set 6-2
The Philippines answered its second-set defeat by winning the deciding frame 6-2 and completing another knockout-round victory. That result placed Malazarte and Abad among the final four women’s pairs during padel’s first Asian Games tournament.
Abad Explains Philippine Third-Set Adjustment
Abad said the Filipinas moved away from their original approach during the second set as Iran extended baseline exchanges. She explained that returning toward their more aggressive first-set approach became central to their response during the deciding frame.
“Medyo nilaro namin yung game nila. Instead na yung game namin… Katulad na nung first set, yung ginawa namin medyo mas aggressive kami. Pero nung second set, medyo nag-sustain na kami sa baseline, medyo naiiwan na kami. Hindi na namin nagagawa yung plan,” Abad told Cignal’s Paolo Del Rosario.
The Philippine pair returned to its original plan during the third set rather than continuing the second-set pattern. Abad’s explanation provided firsthand tactical context for their recovery without requiring outside interpretation of the quarterfinal’s turning point.
“But the third set, inulit namin. Ginawa namin yung plan na dapat namin gawin.”
Abad Points to Return Toward Original Plan
Abad directly connected the third-set response with returning to the approach Malazarte and Abad successfully used during the opener. The Filipinas then reproduced their 6-2 opening-set score during the deciding frame to complete their quarterfinal victory.
Philippine Pair Reaches Inaugural Padel Semifinal
Padel made its Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya, placing Malazarte and Abad among the event’s inaugural women’s semifinalists. Their advancement followed victories across multiple knockout rounds at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center during the historic tournament.
The Filipinas opened their campaign by defeating Saudi Arabia’s Samaher Kurdi and Lina Alabdullatif in their first Asian Games match. They continued through the women’s draw before eliminating Najafi Dehaghi and Mohammad Taghipour in Thursday’s three-set quarterfinal.
Asian Games Features Padel for First Time
Aichi-Nagoya marked padel’s first appearance on the Asian Games program, creating the competition’s first continental medal races. Malazarte and Abad therefore entered the semifinals during the same tournament establishing padel’s inaugural Asian Games champions and medalists.
Malazarte Keeps Focus Away From Medal Pressure
Malazarte said the Philippine pair deliberately avoided concentrating on possible medals while progressing deeper into the women’s tournament. Instead, she described representing the country and approaching each assignment individually as their priorities throughout the competition.
“Hindi naman namin iniisip na kailangan namin manalo ng medal. We’re just here to represent the country. Isa-isa lang lagi. One game at a time. We don’t think ahead of ourselves. We don’t think about the medal. We just have to do the present moment,” Malazarte said.
Malazarte later narrowed that approach further, explaining that their attention remains centered on the ball whenever competition begins. Her comments provided another firsthand account of how the Filipinas approached matches during their breakthrough Asian Games campaign.
“Kunyari pag nandun na kami sa court, yun lang talaga yung iniisip namin. Yung green ball lang talaga kung ano yung dapat namin gawin. And I think the rest will follow kapag ganun yung mindset namin all throughout the tournament.”
Filipinas Focus on Present During Matches
Malazarte described concentrating on the immediate ball rather than calculating possible medal outcomes during matches at the Asian Games. That explanation reflected the pair’s stated approach entering a semifinal carrying unprecedented significance for Philippine padel at the continental level.
Recommended Article: Carlo Paalam Reaches Asian Games Boxing Gold-Medal Fight
Indonesia Awaits Philippines in Women’s Semifinal
Malazarte and Abad were scheduled to face Indonesia’s Fadona Kusumawati and Fitriani Sabatini during Friday’s women’s semifinal program. The International Padel Federation listed the Philippine and Indonesian pairs among four women’s tandems remaining after Thursday’s quarterfinals.
Kusumawati and Sabatini reached the semifinals after defeating Japan’s Ozawa and Sato 6-0, 6-1 during their quarterfinal encounter. Their victory established the next matchup for Malazarte and Abad as both pairs pursued places in the inaugural championship match.
Semifinals Set at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center
Friday’s four semifinal matches were scheduled on Court One at Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center beginning at 1 p.m. locally. The women’s draw featured Philippine, Indonesian, and Japanese representation as the inaugural Asian Games padel tournament approached its medal rounds.
Philippine Men’s Pair Exits in Quarterfinals
Jason Lapidus and Argil Canizares ended their men’s campaign after losing another three-set quarterfinal against Malaysia’s Christian Chin and Aidan Yunus. The Malaysian tandem prevailed 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, leaving Malazarte and Abad as the Philippines’ remaining semifinal representatives.
Lapidus and Canizares had also contributed to the Philippines’ strong opening day by winning their first men’s tournament assignment. Their quarterfinal elimination nevertheless ended the men’s medal pursuit while the women’s pair continued deeper into the inaugural competition.
Malaysia Wins Three-Set Men’s Quarterfinal
Chin and Yunus required three sets to eliminate Lapidus and Canizares after the Filipinos forced a deciding frame. Malaysia eventually completed the 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory and advanced into the men’s semifinals alongside Qatar and two Iranian pairs.
Industry Analysis: History Started Here
Malazarte and Abad’s semifinal appearance carries historical significance because padel is contesting Asian Games medals for the first time. Their quarterfinal victory placed the Philippines among the final four women’s pairs during the sport’s inaugural continental Games competition.
The Philippine campaign also produced quarterfinal appearances in both women’s and men’s pairs before Lapidus and Canizares were eliminated. Those results provide measurable context for the country’s debut without requiring predictions about future medals or Philippine padel development.
Source Note: One Sports reporting by Luisa Morales provides Malazarte and Abad’s quarterfinal reactions and firsthand comments following their victory. International Padel Federation competition records support the quarterfinal result, tournament schedule, opponents, and Philippine men’s doubles result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Joshea Malazarte and Danna Abad facing next?
Malazarte and Abad were scheduled to face Indonesia’s Fadona Kusumawati and Fitriani Sabatini during Friday’s Asian Games semifinal program.
How did Malazarte and Abad reach the Asian Games semifinals?
The Filipinas defeated Iran’s Saba Najafi Dehaghi and Neda Mohammad Taghipour 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 during their quarterfinal encounter.
Can Malazarte and Abad still win an Asian Games medal?
The Philippine pair remained in medal contention after reaching the semifinals during padel’s inaugural appearance at the Asian Games.
Has the Philippines previously won an Asian Games padel medal?
No, Aichi-Nagoya marked padel’s Asian Games debut, meaning the competition was awarding its first medals in the sport.
What happened to the Philippine men’s padel pair?
Jason Lapidus and Argil Canizares lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 against Malaysia’s Christian Chin and Aidan Yunus in the quarterfinals.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from One Sports on Facebook.
