TOP Filipino pickleball players Sarah Jane Lim-Narvasa and Leander Lazaro were drafted for the Southeast Asia Surge squad in the 2025 season of the Major League Pickleball Australia.
Narvasa was named team captain of the Southeast Asia Surge while Lazaro will be back after his previous stint with the club in the 2024 season.
“I’m thrilled because I really want to form an Asian team. Sobrang tiwala ko sa talents ng Asia. Madami pang magagaling na hindi nadi-discover kasi wala lang opportunity or means to tour. Being a captain means I can give them that shot,” noted Narvasa.
Lazaro echoed the sentiments of his teammate.
“This has become our wish since we started playing in MLP Australia. I can’t wait for what we can bring to the team. You can expect and see a competitive and fun team, giving their best and playing free. I believe our team has a really good potential because of our chemistry,” Lazaro said.
Lazaro brings with him a sterling track record to the squad, having won a silver in the men’s singles and a gold in the doubles advanced category in the World Pickleball Championships in Bali, Indonesia in 2021.
“We both really know each other’s games and we can really communicate and execute our strategy well,” said Narvasa of her partnership with Lazaro.
“I think it’s tough to play with teammates that have different views sa playing strategy, ‘yung iba hindi nag-a-adjust ng game or communicate. But we can adjust to each other’s game and communicate well so that is an adjustment,” noted Narvasa.
The two will be joined by Taiwanese Lin Guang Sian and Indian Vrushali Thakare from India, who are also homegrown talents in their respective countries like Narvasa and Lazaro, both members of the 3rd Shot Pickleball Club.
The Southeast Asia Surge will compete in the premier pro pickleball league in Australia featuring six competitions with a total prize pot of A$1 million (roughly P36.1 million).
