Kathlyn Bugna headlines a deep field of young aces in the Puerto Princesa Junior Age Group Tennis Championships, seeking another dominant campaign in the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under divisions as the Palawan Pawnshop-supported talent-search program continues its mission of discovering and developing the country’s next generation of tennis stars.
The Batang Onay/RSB standout from La Carlota, whose string of impressive performances in the nationwide talent-search series has established her as one of the country’s most promising young players, is again keeping expectations in check, choosing to focus on the challenge ahead rather than the prospect of another sweep of the two premier girls’ divisions.
The 18-and-U category, in particular, promises a stern test, with Ashley Garcia, Freyah Delaska, Angela Gozon, Mildred Mantiza, Ysabel Balingit, Alveya Ibba and Moriah Laput among those ready to challenge Bugna for the title.
The Philta- and Universal Tennis-sanctioned Group 2 tournament gets under way Thursday at the Karawatan-RVM Complex Iwahig courts in Palawan, bringing together promising players in various age categories in another showcase of emerging Philippine tennis talent.
Bugna’s campaign also highlights the continuing grassroots development efforts of the Palawan Pawnshop program under president and CEO Bobby Castro, which has helped provide young players from different parts of the country with competitive opportunities to hone their skills, gain tournament experience and pursue their tennis ambitions.
The girls’ 16-and-U division likewise shapes up as am equally competitive affair, with rising contender Etha Seno, Sofia Aguilera, Maria Shan Tuyor and Dominique Garcia joining Laput and Ibba in the hunt for the crown.
On the boys’ side, Krelz Gecosala and Julius Otoc are expected to figure prominently in the 18-and-U division, although Jhazz Fernando and Hazer Malicay are among those seeking to upset the projected title showdown.
Gecosala will also pursue a double as he heads the 16-and-U field, which includes Otoc, Kresthan Belacas, Rein Hayana, Xian Sugsi, John Masaga, Francis Florida and Fernando.
The younger divisions promise their share of compelling matchups, with Seno aiming to stamp her class in the girls’ 14-and-U category against Jaynelle Castro, Arissa Macapendeg, Sofia Aguilera, Athena Guarde, Dominique Garcia, Abby Castigador and Gleanne Loreto.
The boys’ 14-and-U competition is also expected to be wide open, with Becalas facing a strong challenge from Francis Dimzon, Jon Archie Roceta, Francis Florida, Zachary Mondejar, Matias Aguilera, Vincent Salarda and Sugsi.
The 12-and-U divisions should provide another glimpse of the country’s emerging talent, with Dimzon, Matias Aguilera, Francis Angeles and Storm Tozer tipped to contend in the boys’ side, while Castro, Macapendeg, Castigador and Athena Guarde are among the leading names in the girls’ field.
Boys’ and girls’ doubles competitions in the 14- and 18-and-U categories are also on the program, adding another dimension to the week-long tournament, supported by Dunlop, ICON Golf and Sports and the Palawan Group of Companies.