VIET PANTHERS POUNCE INTO MLP ASIA
Viet Panthers brings together six Vietnamese and international athletes, marking the beginning of its journey to build a professional pickleball team with a distinctive Vietnamese identity on the regional stage.
Viet Panthers officially launched today in Ho Chi Minh City as Vietnam’s team for the inaugural season of MLP Asia.
Backed by Ascend Sports Partners (ASP), the team brings together Vietnamese and international athletes. Its launch also marks the arrival of MLP Asia’s team-based format in Vietnam.
The launch at GEM Center covered updates on MLP Asia, ASP’s long-term direction, the Viet Panthers 2026 roster, the team’s brand identity and its home venue plans.
MLP ASIA ARRIVES IN VIETNAM
he inaugural MLP Asia season begins on November 13, 2026. Six competition days take place throughout November before the season progresses to the semifinals and finals in December.
Viet Panthers will host its home competition day in Vietnam on November 21, 2026, bringing the MLP Asia experience closer to local fans.
Viet Panthers’ participation in the inaugural season creates new opportunities for Vietnamese athletes to compete in a professional team environment alongside international players. It also strengthens the connection between MLP Asia and Vietnam’s growing pickleball community.
Representatives of Ascend Sports Partners, MLP Asia and Viet Panthers athletes at the launch at GEM Center, Ho Chi Minh City.
ASCEND SPORTS PARTNERS: BUILDING SPORT FOR THE LONG TERM
Behind the development of Viet Panthers is ASP, an organisation focused on investing in, developing and operating sport with a long-term perspective.
ASP aims to build an ecosystem connecting teams, competitions, athlete development, media and brand partnerships, where each element supports and creates value for the others.
ASP’s vision is to become one of Asia’s leading sports investment and development organisations. Through projects built from Vietnam, ASP aims to develop competitive teams, distinctive sports brands and scalable sports business models capable of growing across the region.
Speaking about this direction, Adam (Thach) Tran, CEO & Founder of Ascend Sports Partners, said:
“We want Vietnam to be more than a destination for international events. We want it to be a place where competitive teams, distinctive sports brands and sports business models are built to grow across the region.”
Viet Panthers represents one of the first concrete steps in this vision.
Alongside the team, ASP is also working towards MLP Vietnam and youth talent development programmes. These efforts connect professional competition with the wider community and create more opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
VIET PANTHERS UNVEILS ITS INAUGURAL ROSTER
Viet Panthers unveiled its six-player roster for the inaugural MLP Asia season, as a team with its own identity, personality and community.
The 2026 roster features four Vietnamese players: Quan Do (Team Captain), Hien Truong, Sophia Nhi Huynh and Ho Tam. They are joined by two U.S.-based athletes, Tama Shimabukuro and Kaitlyn Christian.
The roster has been assembled based on complementary playing styles, experience and chemistry, all critical elements in MLP’s team-based competition format.
Among the Vietnamese players, Quan Do and Hien Truong arrive as a proven partnership. They won Men’s Doubles gold together at both the Capital Securities Beijing Open and the MB Ho Chi Minh City Open on the PPA Tour Asia in 2026.
Sophia Nhi Huynh and Ho Tam previously won Women’s Doubles gold together at the Skechers Shenzhen Open last August.
Among the international players, 10-time PPA Tour Asia medalist Tama Shimabukuro brings youth and experience across multiple disciplines. Meanwhile, seven-time Asia medalist Kaitlyn Christian arrives in form after winning the Women’s Singles title at the Leapmotor Kuala Lumpur Cup earlier this month.
The mix of Vietnamese and international athletes, experienced players and emerging talent, and proven partnerships gives Viet Panthers a strong foundation as the team enters its inaugural season.
HOME VENUE & “THE FIRST PACK”
AP Sports Club was officially announced as the home venue of Viet Panthers.
Under current plans, AP Sports Club 2 will feature a dedicated competition court and seating for approximately 1,000 spectators. It will host Viet Panthers matches and give the team a space to connect with its fan community.
Viet Panthers also introduced its official 2026 team jersey and its first merchandise collection, “The First Pack,” created to mark the team’s founding season.
AP Sports Club, the home venue of Viet Panthers.
THE BEGINNING OF A LONG-TERM JOURNEY
Through this launch and the broader development of MLP Asia in Vietnam, Ascend Sports Partners aims to strengthen the connection between professional sport and the community. It also aims to create clearer development pathways and more opportunities for the next generation of athletes.