Pickleball enthusiast Dars Aquino reached a remarkable personal milestone on June 5, 2026, commemorating her 100th court-hopping achievement at Dink & Shot Marikina with a free invitational event open to the entire pickleball community.
The celebration drew friends, sponsors, partners, and fellow players who gathered to honor a journey that has taken Aquino across courts in Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas, and beyond. True to the spirit that has defined her court-hopping quest, the event was offered at no cost to attendees as a gesture of gratitude to the community that has supported her along the way. Guests were treated to loot bags, food, and interactive booths throughout the venue.
Six courts were made available for open-play sessions catering to different skill levels, giving players the chance to compete, connect, and create content together. A standout moment of the event was the opportunity for attendees to share the court with professional pickleball players. The celebration closed with a raffle, where two lucky guests took home grand prizes: a one-night stay at Timberland Highlands Resort and a brand-new paddle from Gearbox Pickleball USA.
Aquino’s court-hopping list spans a wide cross-section of the Philippine pickleball landscape — from community courts in Marikina and Cainta where her journey began, to clubs in Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, and even Baguio. Court No. 100, fittingly, was Pampanga Pickleball Center, with the journey having started at Suburbia East Marikina.
The milestone is more than a personal record — it reflects the rapid growth of pickleball as a sport and community across the Philippines, with Aquino’s travels serving as a living map of just how far the game has spread.
