By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense sensation Kathlyn Bugna is expected to face an acid test as she competes in the Lapu-Lapu City National Junior Tennis Championships, kicking off today at the Lapu-Lapu City courts in Cebu.

Bugna, currently the circuit’s most dominant player, has consistently ruled both the 14-and-under and 16-and-under divisions in recent months.

However, Bugna’s road to the title may be anything but easy as she faces challengers such as Theriz Zapatos, Sabrina Aldeguer, Abby Joy Castigador, Kate Chavez, and Ninna Orlanes, all eager to upset the tournament favorite.

The five-day Group 2 tournament, sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and part of the long-running Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala national circuit, has drawn nearly 200 players across nine age-group divisions for boys and girls.

With valuable ranking points at stake, the event promises intense competition and opportunities for breakout performances.

Etha Nadine Seno leads the charge in the girls’ 14-and-under division as the top seed, aiming for a potential finals showdown against the in-form Bugna.

In the girls’ 16-and-under bracket, Isobel Alipo-on enters as the top seed, with Besper Zapatos (No. 2), Clodyn Co (No. 3) and Cyndea Manalo (No. 4) rounding out a strong Top 4.

Bugna, although unranked in this division, remains a dangerous wildcard capable of disrupting the draw./ASC, WDJ