ILOILO City – 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 here recently.
The third-ranked Dilao ruled the men’s division after defeating no. 1 seed Al Tristan Licayan, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7, in the semifinals before toppling Ilonggo Ian Ituriaga, 6-4, 7-6 (1) in the finals.
Dilao later captured his second title of the tournament after teaming up with brother Frank to defeat Gian dela Cruz and Ituriaga, 8-5, and claim the 18-and-under doubles crown.
Diaz, on the other hand, dominated her side of the competition with straight-set romps in the preliminaries and the semifinals before scoring a 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-5 win over Alexandra Onte in the finals.
Licayan, meanwhile, redeemed himself in the premier division, repulsing No. 1 Ariel Cabaral, 6-2, 7-5, while top seed Chloe Mercado from QC survived Jasmine Jaran, 2-6, 6-2, 10-6, to reign in the 18-and-under division.
Homegrown talents Anthony Castigador and Louraine Jallorina also came away with a pair of reversals in 14-and-Under class with the former turning back Andrian Rodriguez, 3-6, 6-3, 10-5, and the latter holding off Cadee Dagoon, 6-4, 7-5.
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.
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 capture the 12-and-under boys honors.
Maristella Torrecampo from Naga City, meanwhile, crushed Diana Alcarde, 6-1, 6-2, in the finals to capture the 12-and-under girls crown, while Ilonggo Prince Crisosto wore down top seed Everett Niere, 4-1, 2-4, 10-5, in the 10-unisex finals.
Princess Tara and Czarina Miraflor scored a 1-0(ret.) win over Mercado and Jaran in the 18-and-under girls doubles in the tournament organized by CESE Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office’s Ma. Janelyn Fundal and Sports Development’s Ray Cabarles./PN
