France Dilao and Jana Diaz pounded out victories in contrasting fashions in 16-and-under play as they shared the MVP honors in the Gov. A. R. Defensor Kasadyahan national juniors tennis championships at the LaPaz courts in Iloilo last Thursday.
The third-ranked Dilao upended top seed Al Tristan Licayan, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7, in the semis then foiled local bet Ian Ituriaga, 6-4, 7-6 (1) as the Sta. Rosa bet ended a long title spell in the Group 2 tournament of the Palawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala-sponsored nationwide circuit.
Diaz, on the other hand, dominated her side of the competition, nailing straight-set romps to the finals. But the Imus, Cavite lass needed to overcome unseeded Alexandra Onte’s fierce challenge before pulling through, 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-5.
Licayan, meanwhile, redeemed himself in the premier division, repulsing No. 1 Ariel Cabaral, 6-2, 7-5, in a duel of Gen. Trias, Cavite bets, while top seed Chloe Mercado from QC survived Jasmine Jaran, 2-6, 6-2, 10-6, to reign in the 18-and-under division of the event sanctioned by Philta and presented by Dunlop.
Homegrown talents Anthony Castigador and Louraine Jallorina also came away with a pair of reversals in 14-and-U class with the former turning back No. 1 and doubles partner Andrian Rodriguez, 3-6, 6-3, 10-5, and the latter holding off top seed Cadee Dagoon, 6-4, 7-5.
Xian Calagos from Baybay City escaped with a 4-6, 7-5, 12-10 win over Francisco de Juan III in the semis then ripped Ciaran Alipo-on, 6-1, 6-1, to share the 12-and-U honors with fellow top seed Maristella Torrecampo from Naga City, who crushed Diana Alcarde, 6-1, 6-2.
Third seed Prince Crisosto, also from Iloilo City, wore down top seed Everett Niere, 4-1, 2-4, 10-5, in the 10-unisex side of the week-long event held as part of the Kasadyaha Festival celebrations.
France Dilao later teamed up with brother Frank to defeat Gian dela Cruz and Ituriaga, 8-5, and claim the 18-and-U doubles crown while Princess Tara and Czarina Miraflor scored a 1-0(ret.) win over Mercado and Jaran in the girls’ side of the event which served as the kickoff leg of this year’s edition of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.
Castigador and Jallorina also came away with their second titles as the former and Rodriguez thwarted Rafael Santiago and Rizzjun Labindao, 8-4, in the 14-and-U finals, while latter and Ave Policarpio frustrated Torrecampo and Dagoon, 8-6, to pocket the girls’ trophy in the tournament organized by CESE Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office’s Ma. Janelyn Fundal and Sports Development’s Ray Cabarles.
