In April 2025, the Panas Cup brought a genuine world top-10 pickleball player to Malaysia for the first time: Quang Duong, ranked Asia No. 1 and World No. 6, headlined the tournament in Setia Alam, Selangor, alongside his younger brother and wildcard entrant, Bao.
The event was opened by Panas Express founder and director Vincent Siow, alongside the Duong family, and drew Malaysia’s top pickleball talent as well as local celebrities Cik Manggis and Hairul Azreen, who joined an exhibition match on the day.
Who Is Quang Duong, and Why Does His Presence Matter?
At 19, Quang Duong had already beaten pickleball’s most decorated male player, Ben Johns, at the PPA Hyundai Masters in Palm Springs — a result that reshaped how the sport viewed him. Bringing a player of that caliber to Malaysia, hosted by Panas Express, placed the country on pickleball’s international radar months before the record-breaking Panas Malaysia Cup that followed in September.
What Happened at the Panas Cup 2025
Held at the 9Pickle venue in Setia Alam, the tournament combined competitive pickleball with an exhibition match featuring local celebrities — a format that introduced the sport to a wider Malaysian audience beyond dedicated players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who opened the Panas Cup 2025? Vincent Siow, founder and director of Panas Express, opened the event alongside the Duong family.
Who was the star player at the tournament? Quang Duong (QD), ranked Asia No. 1 and World No. 6 in professional pickleball.
Where was the Panas Cup 2025 held? At the 9Pickle venue in Setia Alam, Selangor.
Was this Panas Express’s first pickleball event? Yes — the April 2025 Panas Cup preceded Panas Express’s title sponsorship of PPA Tour Asia’s first Asian event in July 2025 and the record-setting September 2025 Panas Malaysia Cup.
Source: New Straits Times, “The perfect son — but no talent, said Dad. Now this teen is en route to conquering the world,” by Intan Maizura Ahmad Kamal, 4 May 2025.
