by Alexia Hernandez
The College of Engineering and Design (CED) Raptors and the Senior High School (SHS) Pegasi were the first departments to claim victory in the Silliman University (SU) All-University Intramurals pickleball event last Feb. 26 at the SU Gym.
During the men’s division championship match, the CED Raptors swept the College of Business Administration (CBA) Golden Bees, 2-0.
“Winning our first ever pickleball in Intrams feels incredible […] mixed excitement and pride and satisfaction [as] our hard work paid off,” CED pickleball coach Elton Enario said.
Meanwhile, the SHS Pegasi prevailed over the College of Education (COE) Pink Panthers in the women’s division, 2-1, after breaking the tie in a decision round.
“I felt really glad. We only trained once and still got the championship,” SHS team captain Paula Catherine Barte said.
Pickleball debuts in Intrams
Making its debut, pickleball was included in this year’s list of sports competitions with matches held from Feb. 24 to 26.
Athletics Department Director Asst. Prof. Dionesio V. Piñero emphasized that the sport was first introduced as part of the Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness (PATHFIT) curriculum and was made an alternative to lawn tennis.
“Pickleball is already part of the PATHFIT curriculum in the physical education department, and it has been taught for about three to four years now,” he said.
Piñero also noted that due to the unavailability of lawn tennis venues, pickleball was chosen as an alternative for this year’s intramurals.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, and is played on a smaller court with a perforated plastic ball and solid paddles.
