ROXAS City — Kathlyn Bugna stamped her class as the country’s premier junior tennis standout after sweeping three titles in a dominant showing at the Bagong Pilipinas Juniors Age-Group Championships at the Villareal Stadium courts here.
The Batang Onay/RSB ace from La Carlota delivered a near-flawless campaign, clinching the girls’ 16-and-under and 18-and-under singles crowns before adding the 18-and-U doubles title to complete a commanding triple-title haul in the Group 2 tournament that featured top young talents nationwide.
Bugna dropped just one game en route to the 16-and-U title and yielded only three games in the 18-and-U division, underscoring her growing dominance and consistency on the national circuit.
In the 16-and-U finals, Bugna secured the crown with a 2-1 (ret.) win over doubles partner Theriz Zapatos, capping a dominant run that included lopsided victories against Dominique Calingasan and Princess Obaniana.
She carried the same momentum into the premier division, dismantling Besper Zapatos, 6-1, 6-1, before advancing past Theriz Zapatos via a 1-0 (ret.) semifinal result. She then crushed Tori Deocampo, 6-1, 6-1, in the finals to seal another emphatic championship.
Not content with two titles, Bugna teamed up with Theriz Zapatos to rout Deocampo and Besper Zapatos, 8-3, in the 18-and-U doubles finals, highlighting her all-around strength and competitive maturity.
Her Capiz triumph followed similar victories in Bacolod and the first leg of the Capiztahan event, further solidifying her status as the Philippines’ top junior player.
On the boys’ side, Anthony Castigador matched Bugna’s brilliance by sweeping both the 16-and-U and 18-and-U titles to share Most Valuable Player honors in the week-long tournament held in line with the Capiztahan founding anniversary.
Castigador overcame a second-set setback to edge Francisco De Juan III, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, in the 16-and-U finals. He then stunned top seed Andrian Rodriguez, 6-1, 6-2, in the 18-and-U semifinals before overpowering Rizzjun Labindao, 6-4, 6-0, in the championship match.
Other winners included Kacy Virparia of Barotac Viejo, who captured the girls’ 14-and-U title after defeating top seed Teresinha Calingasan and No. 2 Theriz Zapatos, while De Juan bounced back to rule the boys’ 14-and-U division. Kate Chavez dominated the girls’ 12-and-U category, while Harrow Liam topped the boys’ youngest division./PN
