Kathlyn Bugna continued her impressive ascent in Philippine junior tennis, claiming a dominant triple-title sweep, including two in girls’ singles, at the VARAC National Juniors Tournament in Cebu City on Wednesday.
The 14-year-old sensation from La Carlota City, Negros, reinforced her status as one of the country’s most promising young players. She successfully defended her throne in her age category, dispatching doubles partner Theriz Zapatos, 6-1, 6-1, in a commanding final performance at the Villa Aurora Racquet Club (VARAC) courts.
Bugna then showcased her grit and staying power in a grueling 16-and-U championship match, fending off Donna Mae Diamante in a three-set thriller, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, to complete another double.
Capping her amazing run, Bugna and Zapatos teamed up to clinch the 14-and-U girls’ doubles title with an 8-1 rout of Sabrina Aldeguer and Isobel Alipo-On, securing Bugna another multi-title haul following similar feats in Pasig’s MAC Crankit tournament and in previous PPS-PEPP legs in Iloilo, Bacolod, Roxas and Kalibo.
Bugna’s standout performance earned her another MVP citation in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop, part of the national grassroots tennis talent search spearheaded by PPS-PEPP president/CEO Bobby Castro.
In other finals results, Donna Mae Diamante, from Tuburan, Cebu, bounced back from her 16-U finals loss to Bugna by clinching the 18-and-U girls’ title, dominating Jannine Dela, 6-0, 6-1. Dela had earlier stunned top seed Atila Deocampo, 6-2, 6-2, in the semifinals.
Kate Chavez lived up to her billing in the 12-and-U girls’ division, edging Loren Nocos in a tight second set for a 6-1, 7-6(3) victory; Enzo Niere, representing Bogo City, emerged as the 10-and-U unisex champion after drubbing Dale Diamante, 4-1, 5-4(5); Enzo Niere later shared MVP honors with Anthony Espinosa, who captured the boys’ 16-and-U crown with a stunning 6-1, 7-5 win over top seed Rizzjun Labindao.
Al Jose Gairanod, Jr., seeded sixth from Kasambagan, Cebu City, stunned No. 5 Paul Verallo, 6-3, 6-3, to claim the 18-and-U boys’ singles title. Lawrence Villarin, an unseeded entrant from Consolacion, Cebu, upset Ian Gairanod, 6-4, 7-6(3), in the 14-and-U final, while Pete Niere survived a tight encounter with Gairanod, 7-5, 7-6(3), to clinch the 12-and-U boys’ title.
Other doubles winners were Ian Gairanod and Pete Niere, who outlasted Gil Niere and Lawrence Villarin, 8-5, to take the 14-and-U boys’ crown; Atila Deocampo and Besper Zapatos narrowly edged Mae Diamante and Molly Tan, 8-7(5), for the 18-and-U girls’ title; and AJ Gairanod and Paul Verallo dominated Patrick Rabaya and Andrian Rodriguez, 8-2, to win the boys’ 18-and-U crown.