Kathlyn Bugna swept her three events, including two singles, in the Bagong Pilipinas Juniors Age Group Tennis Championships recently at the Capitol indoor and outdoor courts in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.
The Batang Onay/RSB standout from La Carlota dropped just four games in four matches in the girls’ 16-and-under division before routing Justine Gumbao, 6-0, 6-2, in the final. She was just as dominant in the premier 18-and-under category, yielding only five games in four matches and capping her run with a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Princess Obaniana.
Bugna made it three titles by teaming up with Ashley Garcia to capture the 18-and-under doubles crown over Dyan Placa and Marxian Sira. Her latest sweep also earned her another MVP trophy in the Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking-sanctioned circuit.
The tournament is part of the Bagong Pilipinas sports agenda and held under the long-running Palawan Pawnshop talent search, which seeks to widen opportunities for young athletes through grassroots programs, public training facilities and youth sports initiatives nationwide, while private supporters continue to put up tournaments for rising players.
Krelz Gecosala shone in the boys’ side, ruling both the 16- and 18-and-under divisions.
Gecosala dropped just four games in four matches in the 16-and-under category, defeating Rein Hayana in the final, 6-0, 6-1. He captured the centerpiece division with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Kurt Alcantara in the event sponsored by Gov. Pax Ali Mangudadatu and supported by A.C. Garcia Corp., Gareco Garcia Refinery Corp., A.C. Garcia Group of Companies and A.C. Garcia Palm Oil Mill Corp.
Other winners in the second leg of the circuit’s Mindanao swing were Kresthan Belacas and Gumbao in the 14-and-U division, and Liam Harrow and Athena Guarde in the 12-and-U category.
Belacas defeated Rafael Pascua, 6-3, 6-4, while Gumbao bounced back from her 16-and-U final loss by beating Teresinha Calingasan, 1-0 (ret.).
Harrow turned back Francis Dimzon, 6-2, 6-4, while unranked Guarde pulled off one of the tournament’s notable upsets, defeating top seed Arissa Macapendeg, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the semifinals before dominating Len Falconitin, 6-2, 6-1, in the final.