Goldentop builds community through pickleball boom

By Edwin Rollon

It takes a village to raise a champion—and at the heart of Pandacan, that village is growing fast, one pickleball rally at a time.

From a modest birthday wish to a full-fledged sports hub, Goldentop Sports Center has emerged as one of the driving forces behind the rapid rise of pickleball in the local scene—turning a once-quiet warehouse into a vibrant home for athletes, enthusiasts, and a new generation of players.

For Kristoffer Albert Moreno, the journey began with a simple plan: build a private tennis court.

“It all started when my wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told her I wanted a piece of land where I could build my own tennis court,” said Moreno, a young entrepreneur raised in Paco, Manila, near the historic Philippine Columbian Association (PCA).

A longtime tennis enthusiast, Moreno even became a PCA member just to immerse himself in the sport. But as he searched for a suitable location, a shift was already happening around him.

Friends and fellow players—many of whom had transitioned to pickleball—encouraged him to consider the fast-growing sport instead. What began as a suggestion soon turned into a defining decision.

In just under three months, Moreno transformed a vacant warehouse in Beata, Pandacan, into Goldentop Sports Center, opening its doors in November last year.

At its core is the now well-known “Pink Court,” a bold symbol of the center’s identity and energy. The facility quickly earned the nickname “House of Champions,” not just for its design, but for the level of play and community it fosters.

Goldentop has since attracted a mix of elite names and everyday players. Among those seen on its courts are tennis legend Johnny Arcilla and PBA great Alvin Patrimonio, who has even shared the game with his daughter Clarisse—an indication of pickleball’s cross-generational appeal.

But beyond the star power, it is the accessibility of the sport that continues to drive its growth.

Pickleball, a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has gained popularity for its easy learning curve and social nature. It allows beginners to join in quickly, while still offering enough depth to challenge seasoned athletes.

For Moreno, the investment in Goldentop goes beyond business—it’s personal.

“Malaki ang investment, but it’s worth it because my family enjoys it. Even my 10-year-old son, Shawn, is now actively playing,” he said.

That family-first, community-driven approach has become the foundation of Goldentop’s identity. Open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, the center has become a melting pot of players from all walks of life—young professionals, former athletes, and first-timers alike.

More than just a sports facility, Goldentop represents a larger movement.

As pickleball continues to gain momentum across the country, venues like Goldentop are proving that the sport’s real strength lies not only in competition but in connection.

Because in the end, building champions isn’t just about talent—it’s about community.

And in Goldentop, that community is just getting started.