MANILA – Ilongga netter Louraine Jallorina hit the mark with a gold medal finish in the 1st Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Age Group Tournament on Saturday in Taguig City.
The Iloilo City native captured the gold medal in the 12-and-under girls category following a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Maristella Torrecampo of Metro Manila in the championship game.
On her way to the finals, Jallorina defeated Donna Mae Diamante, 6-2, 6-2, in the second round, Leila Tula, 6-2, 6-3, in the quarterfinals before edging out Cadee Dagoon, 5-7, 6-4, 11-9, in the semis.
Aside from her singles gold, Jallorina also captured a doubles silver medal with Althea Rose Martirez in the 14-and-under doubles girls category after falling short in the final round.
The Iloilo City Sports Academy (ICSA) lauded the effort of the Central Philippine University standout in the four-day competition as she became the first Ilongga tennis player to bag a major tournament gold.
“We are proud to be part of Louraine Jallorina’s journey, and her achievement reflects the positive effects of having a free program for the youth,” the ICSA said in a statement on Sunday.
Martirez, on the other hand, fell short of a podium finish in the 18-and-under girls singles event, while she and Peebee Aguirre was also a semifinalist in the 18-and-under girls doubles category.
John Rafael Santiago, meanwhile, settled for a silver medal finish in the 12-and-under boys singles category after bowing to Lexus Cruz of Nueva Ecija in a tightly-contested gold medal round.
Aleeva Feonne Suace also ended with a bridesmaid finish for the Iloilo City-based netters after losing to Jane Nicole Diaz of Manila City in 14-and-under girls finals.
John Benedict Santiago also finished within the Final Four in the 18-and-under boys category, while Anthony Castigador was also unable to advance to the finals round in 12-and-under boys singles.
Elemar Alcalde Sealza, for his part, ended his campaign in the quarterfinals of the 16-and-under boys singles./PN
