MANILA, Philippines — What started as vacations and friendly games among travel-loving friends has grown into a new sports venture, as a group of entrepreneurs opens Rally Dink Central (RDC), a six-court pickleball facility built to serve Metro Manila’s expanding community of players.
The new venue reflects a growing demand for dedicated pickleball spaces in the Philippines, where more people are discovering the sport as a way to stay active, meet new friends and enjoy friendly competition.
Led by Jona Bendo, together with Amir Mangandog, Meriam Mangandog, Nor Tamano, Hanan Abdul Jabbar and Jonas Ibarrola, the group transformed a former skating rink into a dedicated pickleball destination.
But RDC’s story is not simply about building more courts. It is also about how friendship, a shared hobby and a growing shortage of available playing spaces inspired a group of friends to turn their passion into a business.
From travel companions to pickleball business partners
According to Bendo, the group’s friendship developed through regular travels and their shared interest in pickleball.
As more people joined the sport, however, finding available courts became increasingly difficult.
The founders recognized an opportunity: rather than continuing to struggle with court reservations, they could help address the demand by creating another place where players could meet and compete.
The group eventually learned about a vacant warehouse through a friend. After considering its accessibility for players coming from Taguig, Antipolo, Pasig and Marikina, they decided to invest in the property.
The result was Rally Dink Central, a facility designed to accommodate both casual players and more experienced enthusiasts.
Inside RDC: Six courts in a 3,000-square-meter facility
RDC occupies a 3,000-square-meter warehouse and features six courts described in the Philstar report as meeting international standards.
The venue also has a modern ventilation system intended to make playing more comfortable, particularly for people who want to spend extended periods on the court.
For players, having multiple dedicated courts under one roof offers more opportunities to organize games, practice skills and meet other members of the pickleball community.
Amir Mangandog, who lives in Cagayan de Oro City and regularly travels to Manila for business, said pickleball has become an important part of his effort to stay fit and healthy.
He also pointed to the sport’s growing appeal among Muslim communities, describing the timing of RDC’s opening as an opportunity to welcome more people into the activity.
Celebrity guests join RDC’s opening celebration
The facility’s formal opening also brought together celebrity friends and early visitors.
Actors Christopher Martin and Andrew Muhlach joined an exhibition match against some of RDC’s walk-in clients, giving the launch a lively start and introducing the venue to more potential players.
The founders hope RDC will attract people from different backgrounds and skill levels, from beginners trying pickleball for the first time to experienced players looking for a place to practice.
RDC rates, operating hours and court reservations
For those interested in trying the facility, the Philstar report lists the following details:
- Facility: Rally Dink Central (RDC)
- Courts: Six pickleball courts
- Facility size: 3,000 square meters
- Operating hours: Daily, from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.
- Court rental: ₱700 per hour
- Reservations: Through RDC’s official social media platforms
- Access: Walk-in players and advance bookings
Players should contact RDC directly through its official social media channels to confirm current availability, booking procedures and any updated rates before visiting.
Philippine pickleball boom creates demand for more courts
RDC’s opening comes as pickleball continues to expand beyond a small circle of enthusiasts in the Philippines.
The Philippine Pickleball Federation’s online directory currently lists 78,109 players, 669 member clubs and 561 venues nationwide. Those figures illustrate the scale of the sport’s organized community, although the directory is updated over time and should be treated as a changing snapshot.
The growing interest is also visible in commercial developments. In October, SM Pickleball announced the addition of six courts at SM City East Ortigas, bringing its reported nationwide total to 108 courts across 33 malls.
Meanwhile, The Freeman has reported that pickleball’s popularity is creating opportunities for businesses beyond sports facilities, including digital booking systems, memberships and lifestyle services.
These developments suggest that the sport is developing into a wider recreational ecosystem. More players create demand for courts, while more facilities make it easier for newcomers to discover the game and become regular participants.
More than a game: Fitness, friendship and community
Part of pickleball’s appeal is its combination of familiar racket-sport elements. It draws from tennis, badminton and table tennis, using a solid paddle and a perforated plastic ball on a smaller court than a traditional tennis court.
Its format can make the game approachable for beginners, while experienced players can develop more advanced techniques, positioning and strategy.
But the attraction is not limited to competition. For many participants, pickleball also offers a regular opportunity to socialize, meet people and stay active.
That community aspect is central to RDC’s vision. Bendo has invited both amateur enthusiasts and elite players to visit the venue, enjoy the sport and build connections with fellow players.
The founders are positioning the facility as more than a place to rent a court. They want it to become a gathering point for people who share an interest in recreation, fitness and networking.
Can more facilities keep up with the Philippines’ pickleball demand?
The opening of Rally Dink Central highlights a challenge facing the country’s growing pickleball community: interest in the sport is expanding, and players need accessible spaces where they can regularly play.
Six courts may not solve the wider shortage across Metro Manila, but RDC adds another dedicated venue to a market where operators are increasingly investing in sports and recreational facilities.
For its founders, the business began with friendship and a shared hobby. Now, they are inviting a much bigger community to become part of that story.
As pickleball continues to gain ground in the Philippines, the question is no longer simply who wants to play—but whether the country’s growing network of courts can keep up with demand.
