The rally begins with a soft serve. The return skims the net. Four players move in sync across the court, eyes locked on a plastic ball that travels faster than it looks. On the sidelines, a small group waits for their turn, talking about angles, laughing over missed shots, planning the next match.
This is where many Cebuanos now spend their mornings and evenings. Not inside a borrowed gym. Not on taped lines. But inside a space built for the sport itself.
What began as a shared passion among players has grown into one of Cebu’s most promising pickleball spaces. Enter Kitchenline. “We opened Kitchenline Pickleball Center because we think that Cebu deserves a facility that Cebuanos can be proud of,” says Dr. Jan Philip “Lippo” Peñaranda, one of the owners.
Before Kitchenline, he and other players trained in multipurpose gyms and makeshift courts. Lines faded. Surfaces changed. Lighting shifted from one venue to another. Serious players adjusted constantly. Progress felt uneven.
Now, the game unfolds on a USAPA standard court, built according to international measurements. The spacing stays precise. The kitchen line sits exactly where it should. When players step onto the surface, they train under the same dimensions used in global tournaments.
“For us, having a USAPA standard court means our facility is on par with pickleball facilities all over the world,” Peñaranda explains.
That standard changes how players approach the game. Footwork becomes intentional. Positioning sharpens. Training gains consistency. You no longer adapt to the court. The court supports your growth.
Yet the center’s purpose reaches beyond technical specifications. Kitchenline was designed by players who remember what it felt like to start from scratch.
“What’s great about having this facility, especially for people who are new to the sport, is that we offer coaching,” Peñaranda says. “We foster an easy game for them.”
Beginners enter structured sessions where coaches teach scoring, movement, and shot control. Drills replace confusion. Guided play replaces hesitation. Confidence builds step by step. When players feel ready, they move into higher-level games.
“Once they feel ready, we have other players they can play with of a higher level, wherein they can test themselves,” he adds.
The transition feels natural. Improvement becomes visible, and new players stop standing on the sidelines. They rotate into matches and call their own scores. They begin to compete.
Still, ask Peñaranda what makes pickleball different, and he does not start with rules or rankings.
“Pickleball is special compared to other sports because it’s the community that it builds,” he says. “It fosters camaraderie among people, and eventually they become your friends and [are] part of your daily lives.”
He speaks from experience. When he first started playing, he knew only a few people. Now, he sees new groups arriving regularly. “Pretty much it’s gotten really big,” he says. “People really love playing the sport.”
Growth shows in full courts during peak hours. It shows in mini tournaments focused on participation and connection. It shows in larger competitions that draw higher-skilled players from across the country. A national-level tournament is scheduled midyear, signaling that Cebu no longer sits on the sidelines of the sport’s expansion.
The benefits extend beyond the scoreboard. As a doctor, Peñaranda observes how intense matches push heart rates to 170 to 180 beats per minute. The physical demand matches traditional cardio workouts. Yet the atmosphere feels lighter because the effort is shared.
“If you’ve started to play in the morning, then you’ll feel good the rest of the day during your work,” he says. The rhythm of the game carries into daily life. Focus sharpens, and stress lowers. Players return not only for competition, but for routine.
On any given day at Kitchenline, you see beginners learning their first serve, regulars organizing rematches, and advanced players preparing for tournaments. The courts host more than rallies. They host progress, accountability, and connection.
Kitchenline did not begin as a business plan. It began with players who wanted better conditions for a sport they already loved. Today, it stands as proof that when athletes build for athletes, standards rise.
The ball crosses the net again. Voices call out the score. Another point unfolds. In that steady rhythm of serve and return, you see what Kitchenline represents for Cebu. A space shaped by players, sustained by community, and driven by the simple desire to play the game well.
Whether you’re picking up a paddle for the first time or training for your next tournament, Kitchenline Pickleball Center is ready for you. Book a court, join a coaching session, or drop by and see why Cebu’s pickleball community keeps growing.
Follow them on Instagram at @kitchenline_pb and stay updated via Facebook at facebook.com/kitchenlinepickleball for schedules, coaching sessions, and upcoming tournaments.
Photography Kyrra Kho
