Dink Loft Brings 24-Hour Pickleball Hub To Marikina City

Marco Gumabao has opened Dink Loft, a 24-hour indoor pickleball facility along Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue in Marikina City. The actor and entrepreneur developed the venture with childhood friends Carl Venzon and Ton Combes amid pickleball’s growing local popularity.

Dink Loft Targets Marikina Pickleball Community

Gumabao believes increasing participation has created demand for dedicated venues where players can regularly compete and meet other enthusiasts. He has also observed existing basketball courts, badminton venues, and open spaces increasingly being used for pickleball sessions.

His interest extends beyond participation numbers because Gumabao sees community interaction as an important part of pickleball’s appeal. Dedicated venues can support that environment through organized sessions where players regularly meet opponents outside their usual playing groups.

“Now kasi, sobrang grabe yung craze sa pickleball, especially here in the Philippines, everyone’s picking it up.”

“Everyone’s converting all their basketball courts, badminton courts, open spaces into picketball courts.”

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Open Play Builds Community at Pickleball Venues

Open-play sessions allow individual players to join organized games without needing to assemble their own complete group beforehand. Gumabao believes that format encourages community building by giving participants regular opportunities to meet and compete with different players.

“Kasi maganda kasi yung community. It’s all about community building.”

“Ang uso naman sa picketball, yung mga open play.”

“So, ang style is magre-rent ng two or three courts tapos magpapa-open play so everyone can go.”

“It’s more on community building and getting to know a lot of people.”

Fitness Interest Makes Dink Loft Personal for Gumabao

Gumabao connected his pickleball investment with a broader personal interest in fitness, sports, and maintaining an active lifestyle. He also believes increasing fitness participation can support pickleball because the sport attracts players across different ages and experience levels.

Rather than viewing Dink Loft solely as another investment, Gumabao described the project as closely connected with his health advocacy. His comments also reflected confidence that pickleball’s accessibility could help sustain participation beyond its current period of rapid popularity.

“At the same time, usung-uso ngayon ang fitness. Everyone’s into fitness.”

“For me, putting up a pickleball court facility for a lot of people to play is very personal para sa akin.”

“Malapit sa puso ko, in terms of advocacy when it comes to health and always keeping a healthy lifestyle.”

“Personally, ang feeling ko, magtatagal ang pickleball kasi friendly siya in all ages.”

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Gumabao Connects Pickleball With Active Lifestyle

Gumabao’s involvement gives him direct exposure to the recreational experience he hopes Dink Loft can provide its regular players. His comments frame the facility as an extension of personal interests rather than an investment disconnected from his everyday activities.

Childhood Friends Build Dink Loft Together

PEP.ph entertainment editor Jojo Gabinete documented Gumabao’s partnership with childhood friends Carl Venzon and Ton Combes behind Dink Loft. Gumabao said their relationship stretches back to childhood, giving the business partnership a personal history extending beyond the facility.

Venzon and Combes serve as president and vice president, respectively, and initially identified the property eventually developed into Dink Loft. They approached Gumabao about establishing a pickleball facility, beginning a project that later required several months of construction.

“Ang partners ko po, kababata ko. Kapitbahay ko ever since, like seven years old ako.”

“Sina Carl at Ton, sila yung president at vice-president namin. Sila talaga yung nakahanap ng lupa and then kinausap nila ako.”

“Sabi nila, ‘Baka gusto mo magtayo ng pickleball court?’”

Partnership Started With a Simple Proposal

Venzon and Combes initially found the property before approaching their childhood friend about developing a dedicated pickleball facility together. Gumabao accepted their proposal, turning a straightforward conversation into a business project built around their shared interest and longtime friendship.

Dink Loft Required Months of Construction

Development began roughly one year before the facility’s official August 8 opening, according to Gumabao’s account of the project. He estimated construction required approximately six to eight months before Dink Loft eventually became ready to welcome regular players.

The partners conducted a soft opening approximately three months before celebrating the facility’s formal launch during the Philippine rainy season. Gumabao acknowledged that developing the warehouse-style property required considerable time before the venue could reach its completed form.

“We started last year tapos mga six to eight months bago naitayo. Hindi po madali.”

“Siyempre mahirap mag-build, especially parang warehouse type ito. It took a lot of time.”

“Pero happy kami ngayon dahil kahit na tag-ulan, nakapag-grand opening kami. Nag-soft opening kami, three months ago.”

Soft Opening Preceded August Grand Launch

Dink Loft operated through a soft-opening period before Gumabao and his partners officially celebrated the facility’s completed launch on August 8. That period gave the venue several months of operations before the group marked the project’s formal opening in Marikina City.

Dink Loft Offers 24-Hour Pickleball in Marikina

Dink Loft differentiates itself through round-the-clock operations, allowing players to reserve courts beyond conventional daytime and evening recreation schedules. Gumabao said the facility is currently Marikina’s only pickleball venue operating continuously throughout the entire 24-hour day.

His account suggests players have already used the courts during unusually late periods, including sessions around two and three o’clock mornings. Gumabao also acknowledged experiencing difficulty securing court availability himself because of the demand surrounding the newly opened facility.

“Actually, this is the only 24-hour picketball court here in Marikina.”

“Maraming ibang mga court pero ito lang ang 24-hour. So, nakakagulat dahil kahit 2 A.M., 3 A.M., may mga naglalaro.”

“Kahit nga ako mismo, nahihirapang makakuha ng court kasi grabe yung demands.”

Late-Night Players Use Round-the-Clock Schedule

Gumabao said players continue booking sessions during hours that normally fall outside traditional recreational schedules at many sports facilities. The 24-hour setup also gives Dink Loft flexibility for customers whose work or personal schedules make conventional playing periods difficult.

Open Play Shapes Dink Loft’s Community Approach

Gumabao repeatedly emphasized open play when discussing the type of community he sees developing around pickleball and dedicated facilities. Instead of requiring players to organize complete groups, scheduled sessions can place individuals into games with other available participants.

That structure reflects Gumabao’s broader belief that pickleball’s appeal includes meeting people alongside exercise and competitive recreation. Dink Loft can use organized sessions to provide playing opportunities for customers seeking opponents without relying entirely on private group bookings.

Community Remains Central to Gumabao’s Vision

Gumabao described community building as an important reason pickleball continues attracting his attention beyond its recreational and fitness benefits. Open-play formats support that goal by creating opportunities for players to rotate through games and interact with unfamiliar opponents.

Gumabao Expands Business Interests Beyond Entertainment

Dink Loft adds another venture to Gumabao’s business portfolio after previous investments involving restaurants and bars, including Tipsy Pig. He described the pickleball facility as his first court-sports investment while connecting the decision with his current passion for fitness.

That direction could continue beyond pickleball because Gumabao also revealed discussions about potentially opening a gym with his partners. He also planned to compete at a Hyrox event in Bangkok, reinforcing the personal connection between his activities and business interests.

“Matagal na akong nasa business. Actually, mga restaurant like Tipsy Pig. I also invested sa bars.”

“First time kong mag-invest sa pickleball court kasi, right now, ang passion ko is fitness, sports.”

“I am going to Bangkok next week for Hyrox and we’re also thinking of opening a gym soon.”

“Ako, basta makapag-invest ng mga ganitong klase ng businesses na hilig ko, walang problema sa akin.”

Fitness Becomes Bigger Part of Business Portfolio

Gumabao’s comments directly connect his newer investments with activities he already enjoys through fitness and recreational sports participation. Dink Loft represents his first pickleball facility, while discussions surrounding a possible gym could extend that direction into another fitness venture.

Analytical Breakdown: A Home for Pickleball

Playing at different pickleball venues has shown me that convenience is only one part of a successful facility. Players keep returning when courts are well-maintained, open-play sessions are organized, and newcomers feel comfortable joining regular games. Those details create the welcoming atmosphere that has helped pickleball communities grow so quickly across the country.

A round-the-clock venue gives players more flexibility, especially those balancing work, school, or family schedules. I’ve seen how accessible playing hours encourage more consistent participation and make it easier for communities to stay active. Facilities that prioritize both court quality and player experience often become gathering places rather than simply places to book a game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dink Loft?

Dink Loft is a 24-hour indoor pickleball facility in Marikina City established by Marco Gumabao and his childhood friends.

Who are Marco Gumabao’s Dink Loft business partners?

Gumabao partnered with longtime childhood friends Carl Venzon and Ton Combes to develop and operate the pickleball facility.

Where is Dink Loft located?

Dink Loft is located along Mayor Gil Fernando Avenue in Marikina City and operates as an indoor pickleball venue.

Is Dink Loft open 24 hours?

Yes, Gumabao said Dink Loft operates continuously and is currently the only round-the-clock pickleball facility in Marikina.

Why did Marco Gumabao invest in pickleball?

Gumabao connected the investment with pickleball’s growing community and his personal interest in fitness, sports, and healthy living.

How long did Dink Loft take to build?

Gumabao said construction required approximately six to eight months before the facility eventually reached its official grand opening.

Is Marco Gumabao planning other fitness businesses?

Yes, Gumabao revealed that he and his partners are considering opening a gym as his fitness-related business interests expand.

Disclaimer: Headline Image from LionhearTV on Facebook.