Saturday in Playa del Carmen settled the field for Podium Day, with the final group-stage matches producing a 13–11 thriller, dramatic championship berths and several late shifts in the standings.
Mexico Waves and Miami Padel Club earned their places in the men’s Championship Final, while the Las Vegas Smash women completed an unbeaten group stage to set up a title match against the San Diego Stingrays.
DC also secured its place on Podium Day in both divisions, while New York’s women advanced to the third-place match after the final results fell their way.
Mexico Edges DC in 13–11 Thriller
DC opened the matchup with a straight-set win in the women’s match, as Araceli Martinez Ibanez and Marina Guinart Espana defeated Lucia Peralta and Patricia Martinez Fortun 6–3, 6–3.
The victory moved DC to 2–0 in women’s group play and secured the Matrix a place on Podium Day.
The men’s match carried even higher stakes. Mexico and DC both entered at 1–0, meaning the winner would move to 2–0 and advance directly to Sunday’s Championship Final.
In front of a packed home crowd, Maximiliano Arce and David Gala faced Alejandro “Alex” Arroyo and Valentino Libaak in a matchup featuring four of the league’s best players.
Mexico took the opening set 7–6 before DC answered in another tiebreak to force a super tiebreak with a place in the final still on the line. Facing match point at 10–9, Arce and Gala produced arguably their best point of the night, then went on to close out the match 13–11.
The win sent the Waves into Sunday’s first-place match in front of an electric Playa del Carmen crowd.
DC’s second-set win still proved important, giving the Matrix enough in the tiebreakers to secure a place in the third-place match.
Miami Books Its Place in the Men’s Final
Miami Padel Club entered the final session with its men still in position to reach Sunday’s final and left no doubt.
Alvaro Melendez Amaya and Jose Antonio Garcia Diestro defeated Agustín Torre and Guillermo “Guille” Cagigas 6–3, 6–2, moving Miami to 2–0 in group play and securing a place opposite Mexico in the Championship Final.
The result ended Las Vegas’ men’s run after Friday’s breakthrough victory over Los Angeles.
The Las Vegas women answered with another impressive performance.
Raquel Eugenio Barrera and Jimena Velasco defeated Anna Ortiz Gasco and Lucia Martinez Gomez 6–4, 6–1 to finish the group stage 2–0 without dropping a set.
Las Vegas closed group play having won all four sets, earning a place in Sunday’s Championship Final against San Diego.
The result also eliminated Miami’s women from Podium Day and sent New York through to the third-place match, with both teams watching closely as their qualification scenarios came down to the final women’s match of the night.
Houston Shakes Up the Men’s Race
Toronto opened its matchup against Houston with a straight-set win in the women’s match.
The Polar Bears’ Nuria Rodriguez and Marta Caparros Maldonado defeated the Volts' Marta Barrera de la Fuente and Maria Eulalia Rodriguez 6–4, 6–3, moving Toronto to 1–1 in group play and eliminating Houston’s women from podium contention.
Houston responded with one of Saturday’s biggest men’s results.
Ramiro Valenzuela and Facundo Lopez recovered after dropping the opening set to Pablo Lijo and Francisco “Xisco” Manuel Gil, defeating the Toronto pair 3–6, 6–4, 10–6.
The victory moved Houston to 1–1 and denied Toronto a chance to finish the group stage undefeated, adding another layer to an already tight men’s qualification race.
Florida and New York Split
New York’s women kept their Podium Day hopes alive behind Sofia Saiz Vallejo and Marta Talavan, who defeated Noa Canovas and Carolina Orsi 6–4, 6–4.
The victory moved the Atlantics to 1–1 and put them in position to advance depending on the night’s remaining results.
Florida answered in the men’s match.
Luis Hernandez Quesada and Juan Ignacio De Pascual defeated Ignacio Vilariño and Javier Martinez 6–3, 7–6, giving the Goats a 1–1 finish in group play and eliminating New York’s men from contention.
Podium Day Is Set
Sunday’s men’s Championship Final will feature Mexico Waves against Miami Padel Club, with both teams entering after undefeated group-stage runs.
On the women’s side, Las Vegas Smash will face San Diego Stingrays for the title after Las Vegas went 2–0 without dropping a set.
Podium Day begins Sunday in Playa del Carmen, with the third-place matches preceding the Championship Finals.
About Pro Padel League
Pro Padel League (PPL) is the world’s leading professional padel league, built for the fastest-growing sport in America. Founded in 2023, PPL features 10 teams across the United States, Canada and Mexico, bringing together the sport’s best players. Each season culminates in The Finals, where the league crowns its men’s, women’s and team champions.
PPL events reach more than 300 million households through distribution partners spanning 100-plus countries. Every event and match is also available worldwide on the league’s YouTube channel.
