The spotlight now turns to the young guns of the south as the MJFC Araw ng Digos City National Juniors Tennis Championships unwraps Thursday, Sept. 4, at the Digos City courts, featuring over 200 players eager to showcase their skills in a highly competitive setting.
Following the Luzon swing of the nationwide Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) circuit, the action shifts to Mindanao with nine age group categories in both boys’ and girls’ divisions.
This Group 2 tournament, presented by Dunlop, offers valuable ranking points and a platform for aspiring tennis stars aiming to shine on the national and international stage.
All four boys’ categories drew full 32-player rosters, while the girls’ 14- and 16-and-under events also attracted packed lineups, further evidence of the sport’s growing popularity in the region.
Much of the enthusiasm can be attributed to the continued international success of tennis sensation Alex Eala, whose achievements serve as inspiration for many young Filipino athletes.
Leading the boys’ 18-and-U division are Raphael Duay, Jonathan High, Stephen Fuertes, and Chad Globasa. On the girls’ side, Sanschena Francisco, Dhea Cua, Ayl Gonzaga and Aika Salahuddin are among the top players to watch in what promises to be a thrilling five-day tournament held in conjunction with the Araw ng Digos City founding anniversary and hosted by Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas.
Globasa also headlines the boys’ 16-and-U bracket in the event, serving as part of the ongoing nationwide talent search spearheaded by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, aimed at discovering and developing the next generation of Filipino tennis champions.
Globasa faces tough competition from Iñigo Barrios, Julius Otoc and Jan Gecosala. Meanwhile, Olongapo’s Gonzaga, fresh off her victory at the Mayor Arlene Arcillas Cup in Laguna, enters the girls’ 16-and-U division as the top seed. She will be challenged by Justine Gumbao, Mariam Mokalam and Salahuddin.
Fierce matchups are also expected in the boys’ 14-and-U division, where Jan Gecosala holds the No. 1 seed, followed by Kresthan Belacas, Carl Eduarte and Jon Roceta. In the girls’ division, Gonzaga again leads the charge, joined by Francine Wong, Daneea Sinsuat and Gumbao.
Belacas is also the player to beat in the 12-and-U boys’ class, with Francis Florida, Xian Sugsi and Francis Dimzon expected to pose strong challenges. In the girls’ 12-and-U, Antipolo’s Leanne Barrido – another recent Arcillas tilt winner – leads a talented group that includes Shan Tuyor, Samantha Rodriguez and Sinsuat in the event sanctioned by Philta and supported by Rep. John Tracy Cagas, Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports.
The youngest hopefuls in the 10-and-U unisex division are equally eager to shine. Arissa Macapendeg, Azl Gonzaga, Storm Tozer and Aleushia Maurin are among the names to watch as they begin their tennis journeys.
Titles will also be contested in the boys’ and girls’ doubles for the 14- and 18-and-U divisions, as well as the 10-and-U doubles.
