Justine Gumbao and Julius Otoc stamped their class in the Palawan Pawnshop’s Kidapawan City Juniors Age-Group Tennis Championships, powering to a combined six titles and emerging as the standout performers of the week-long Group 2 tournament at the Kidapawan courts.
Gumbao was particularly dominant, sweeping the girls’ 14-and-under and 16-and-under singles crowns before adding two doubles titles for a rare four-title haul.
The top seed in the girls’ division overwhelmed Chandra Felecio, 6-1, 6-3, in the 14-and-under final, then dispatched Marxian Sira, 6-1, 6-0, for the 16-and-under championship. She dropped just 11 games in six singles matches across the two age groups.
Gumbao completed her four-title sweep in doubles, teaming up with Kathryina Makabangit to whip Sabrina Esiderio and Maurin, 8-1, for the 14-and-under crown. She later paired with Clar to rout Gorre and Sira, 8-2, in the 18-and-under final.
Otoc matched Gumbao’s dominance in the boys’ division, collecting the 16- and 18-and-under singles titles to share MVP honors. He overwhelmed recent Isulan, Sultan Kudarat leg winner Kresthan Belacas, 6-1, 6-1, in the 16-and-under final before turning back Kyle Ramos, 6-4, 6-2, for the 18-and-under title.
Otoc and Belacas joined forces in the boys’ 18-and-under doubles, beating Kurt Alcantara and Krisnel Batilo, 8-1.
Kirsten Mae Gorre beat Camille Clar, 6-2, 6-2, for the girls’ 18-and-under title, while Belacas defeated AJ Rabino, 6-3, 6-2, in the boys’ 14-and-under final.
Christine Ann Teposo blanked Aleushia Maurin, 6-0, 6-0, for the girls’ 12-and-under plum, and Andrei Domasing beat Peter Cabaña, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-3, in a thrilling boys’ 12-and-under championship duel. In the boys’ 14-and-under doubles, Rafael Pascua and Rabino defeated Yuki Menoza and Philmanuel Palmones, 8-1, to claim the title.
The Kidapawan stop capped another three-leg swing through Mindanao, following earlier tournaments in Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat, as the talent-search continues to provide young players with competitive matches and a pathway to higher-level tennis. The Group 2 tournament was held under the Palawan Pawnshop talent-search initiated by president and CEO Bobby Castro and sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Rating. It was supported by Icon Golf and Sports and the Palawan Group of Companies.