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 successfully defended her throne in her age category, dispatching doubles partner Theriz Zapatos, 6-1, 6-1, 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
