Junior tennis action shifts to San Pablo City, Laguna today (Thursday) for the Don Arsenio Escudero, Sr. National Championships, where over 200 entries across nine age categories will compete for top honors and ranking points at the Aera Tennis Club.
Ella Paglalunan and Joy Ansay face a formidable field as they aim to clinch titles in their respective age division in the girls’ singles. Paglalunan is determined to secure victories in the 12- and 14-and-under categories for the second straight week, while Ansay seeks to extend her success in the 16- and 18-and-U divisions.
Vania Parawan, who didn’t see action in the Iñigo Resorts tournament in Lucena City last week, poses a challenge for Paglalunan in her pursuit for titles, along with Isabel Ataiza and Lilith Rufino, in the five-day Group 2 tournament hosted by Ares Escudero, Jr.
To accommodate the big number of participants, other matches will be held at the Alina courts, according to event organizer Bobby Mangunay.
Also up for grabs in the event, sanctioned by Philta, PPS-NTC and UTR and supported by Philta regional vice president R-4A Gary Alcala, are titles in the boys’ and girls’ doubles across the 10-U, 14-and-U and 18-and-U categories.
Meanwhile, the country’s premier talent-search, sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, will take a Holy Week break and resume in Olongapo City for the Mayor Rolen Paulino Junior Cup on April 4-8. For details and registration, contact Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
Paglaluan also faces tough competition in the 14-and-U side with No. 1 Ave Maria Policarpio seeking redemption, alongside strong contenders like Izabelle Camcam, Amanda Barrido, Ataiza, Parawan and Rufino.
Ansay also anticipates a challenging contest in her age group, with experienced campaigners such as Jana Diaz, Sandra Bautista and Policarpio leading the 16-and-U division. The premier class features prominent players like Chloe Mercado, Bautista and Diaz.
In the boys’ categories, Antonio Ng, Jr., Al Tristan Licayan, Frank Dilao, Felizardo Lota III and Chinglee Cai (16-and-U), and Ariel Cabaral and Licayan (18-and-U) are going all-out to halt France Dilao’s quest for another back-to-back titles.
Quezon City’s Marcus Go also chases titles in the 12- and 14-and-U divisions where he gears up against players like Stewart Diokno, Jairus Peralta, Matthias Go, Matteo Calingasan and Tyronne Caro , Emmanuel Andal, Rafa Monte, Dean Palaroan and Cai.
