BACOLOD City — Negrense standout Kathlyn Bugna and Dumaguete ace Matthew Morris stamped their dominance in emphatic fashion, each completing a two-title sweep to headline the Verde Aces Juniors Age Group Tennis Championships held here.
Bugna, seeded second, overcame a sluggish start in the girls’ 18-and-under final to outlast No. 3 Saze Nillama, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, capping a gritty campaign that showcased her resilience and championship composure.
The 15-year-old Batang Onay Tennis Club player from La Carlota had earlier battled through a tough quarterfinal, edging unranked Christine Palomares, 6-3, 5-7, 10-3, in a deciding super tiebreak after a tournament layoff. She then found her rhythm in the semifinals, dismantling Isobel Alipo-on, 6-2, 6-1, before completing her comeback victory over Nillama in the final.
Bugna also ruled the girls’ 16-and-under division, crushing Deocampo, 6-2, 6-0, to secure her second title at the Verde Aces and NOTA courts in the Group 2 tournament sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking.
Meanwhile, Morris matched Bugna’s twin-title feat with a commanding run in the boys’ division, including two victories over doubles partner Andrian Rodriguez to share Most Valuable Player honors.
Morris dominated the 16-and-under final, beating Rodriguez, 6-2, 6-3, before delivering an even more convincing 6-1, 6-0 rout in the 18-and-under championship match. He dropped just six games across four matches, underscoring his control throughout the tournament.
Other champions in the five-day event included Theriz Zapatos of Kalibo, Drig Escobar of Bacolod City, Kate Chavez of Iloilo, and Luke Quitco of La Carlota City.
Zapatos, seeded second, upset top seed Donarose Olavides, 6-3, 6-4, to clinch the girls’ 14-and-under title. Escobar rallied from a set down to defeat Don Olavides, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, for the boys’ crown, while Chavez captured the girls’ 12-and-under title with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Olavides.
Quitco turned in a series of impressive performances, stunning top seed Joshua Ausan in the quarterfinals, 6-3, 5-7, 10-8, before surviving Matthieu Flores in the semifinals, 6-4, 6-7(4), 8-1. He then outlasted Zhyn Dupa-an in the final, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
In doubles play, Morris completed a three-title haul as he teamed up with Rodriguez to defeat Ciaran Alipo-on and Rizzjun Labindao, 8-3, in the boys’ 18-and-under finals.
Nillama and Queen Villa ruled the girls’ doubles division with an 8-1 victory over Deocampo and Besper Zapatos.
Don Olavides and John Paul Taratara dominated Alexis Talde and Arnel Valencia, 8-2, in the boys’ 14-and-under doubles final, while Chavez and Arissa Macapended edged Donarose Olavides and Theriz Zapatos, 8-7(3), to capture the girls’ crown./PN
