The Manila Mavericks spoiled the International Premier Tennis League debut of Serena Williams and bucked the absence of Maria Sharapova, fashioning out a 26-19 victory over Williams and the Singapore Slammers as the groundbreaking tennis tournament’s Manila leg came to an end Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Williams flew in early Sunday to join her Slammers teammates as the team sought their first win in the tournament. But the Mavericks, playing without Sharapova who only committed to play two nights, finally gave the hometown crowd something to cheer for after also going winless in their first two matches.

The Mavericks also had a new player as surprise substitute Mark Philippoussis made an auspicious IPTL debut, beating compatriot and former Davis Cup teammate Pat Rafter, 6-2, in the legends’ set.