A new game for Nikki Gil Albert: Turning pickleball and design passion into reality

MANILA — Singer, actress and former MYX VJ Nikki Gil Albert and partners are beaming with pride at the birth of RESET, a brand new pickleball facility in Alabang.

The project started when Nikki and a group of friends had difficulty getting courts at the club where they played because it was always full. 

“I think it started as a joke, right? We couldn’t book courts and we’re a big group and we were cliquish. So, we always wanted to play with each other. So, we were like, we should just build our own courts,” Nikki said.

Later on, the group got together to put up a 4,600-square-meter facility in Alabang called RESET. 

The facility has seven courts in a spacious facility. It has first-class courts, and a lounge off the court that follows an earth-toned color scheme. Bar stool seats and plugs are also spread throughout the facility.

They also have a locker room, a restaurant, a coffee and juice bar, a rehab center, a sports science gym and even a Pilates studio. Soon to open is a space for kids. 

Jared Filart broke down how the idea began, saying: “So, this idea actually came two years ago, back in 2024. That’s when we actually started to do something about it.”

“That’s when we actually pitched the idea to the landlord. It took actually some time. We ground broke here August of 2025,” he said.

The project, he said, has always been a group effort from the start. And it was keeping everyone on the same page that he believes was the key to their successful opening. 

“We’re 11 partners and seven investors. What really helped was everyone (partners) wanted the same thing from the very beginning. So, that’s something that we made clear from the beginning and if everyone is aligned on the vision, then it is possible,” Jared said.

The name RESET comes from the sport itself.

“So, ‘reset’ is a term commonly used in pickleball where you reset the point and make it not attackable. So, we wanted to use that name just because we wanted this place to be a place where you can actually reset, not only in pickleball terms, but also in life,” he explained. 

“So, it’s a place where you can play, it’s a place where you can stay, it’s a place where you can eat and really just hang out. So, the name really just all tied up together,” Jared said.

For the design, it was Nikki and another partner Ton Dy who took charge. The team also looked to the surrounding area.

“We decided to do like a resort feel. And Filinvest is known for its greenery, its walkability. So, we wanted as much as possible to kind of bring the outside in,” she said. 

The singer-actress said the goal is for players to stay.

“Well, we want them to play and stay. We want them to feel like this is their home court,” she said. “You come for the courts, come play, but we want you guys to stay. We want you to, you know, meet new people, build friendships.”

“And because that’s a huge chunk of why people play pickleball, you know, not only is it good cardio, but it’s the social aspect of the sport that really attracts a lot of people,” she said. 

Nikki started playing pickleball in 2023, while Jared began in 2021.

“This is, I would always say this is my first sport. Because growing up, I wasn’t a sporty girl. I was more like performing arts. So this is my first real sport,” Nikki said. 

“It was fairly easy to pick up. You know, it’s not like other sports where you have to invest years and years of your life to even get to a point where you can play with a group,” she added. “So I enjoy that. I enjoy the company. You know, I’ve made, I’ve found, I’ve made good friendships in this community.”