CLARICE PATRIMONIO and CJ Luna ruled the first Fossil Pickleball Open with a thrilling 10-11, 11-7, 11-6 victory over Kim and Medelene Saraza recently at Robinson’s Magnolia in Quezon City. Patrimonio and Luna rallied from a set down and controlled the two succeeding frames to secure the mixed doubles title and P100,000 prize worth of Fossil watches and premium accessory items. “This is the first time that I played on a court like this—a genuine pickle ball court.

It was quite challenging, but we were able to overcome the odds,’’ said Patrimonio, a former national tennis player and daughter of Philippine Basketball Association legend Alvin Patrimonio. Fossil’s highly anticipated Summer 2024 collection was launched during the grand event last July 12 to 14 and showcased the latest fashion-forward accessories apart from staging the meet that offered the biggest prizes in a local pickleball tournament. The event kicked off with a friendly pickleball match featuring influencers, media and VIPs prior to the two-day tournament proper where participants engaged in a double-round elimination duel and culminated in the finals and award ceremony on the last day.

Patrimonio and Luna were ahead, 9-4, in the opening frame of the race-to-11, best-of-three encounter witnessed by a full house crowd before the Sarazas chipped away at the lead and turned things into their favor. But the beat down at the start wasn’t enough to discourage Patrimonio and Luna, who fought back with a.