By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Kathlyn Bugna and Athena Liwag shared the spotlight as they emerged as co-Most Valuable Players (MVP) after posting twin title victories each in the Puerto Princesa National Junior Tennis Championships held at the Karawatan-La Paragua Sports Complex in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Fresh from a short break following her dominant run in several Palawan Pawnshop junior circuit legs, Bugna made a triumphant return by sweeping the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under singles crowns.

The La Carlota City and Batang Onay standout cruised past Liwag, 6-1, 6-2, in the 16-and-under finals, before downing top seed Claire Casiller, 6-1, 6-2, for the 18-and-under title.

Liwag, representing Olongapo City, also shone with victories in the 12- and 14-and-under divisions.

She overpowered Maria Calingasan, 6-2, 6-0, to take the 12-and-under crown, then gained a 1-0 win over Bugna in the 14-and-under finals to match Bugna’s two-title haul and share MVP honors.

In the boys’ side, Lipa City’s Rafa Monte de Ramos pulled off an impressive double of his own by ruling both the 16- and 18-under categories.

He beat Aljhon Rombawa via a 1-0 result before dominating Nicholas Andal, 6-2, 6-1, in the 18-and-under finals of the tournament sanctioned by Philta.

Balanga, Bataan’s Cristiano Calingasan reigned in the 14-and-under division with a 6-1, 2-0 victory over Enzo Masaga, while Quezon City’s Francis Angeles took the 12-and-under title with a 7-5, 6-3 decision over Diezel Lerit.

Angeles later completed his own “twinkill” by capturing the 10-and-under unisex crown, 4-2, 4-1, over Matias Aguilera.

Bugna and Liwag also secured doubles titles — Bugna teamed up with Sofia Aguilera for the girls’ 18-and-under trophy, while Liwag partnered with Teresinha Calingasan to rule the 16-and-under event.

In the boys’ doubles action, Jeffrey Morales, Jr. and Kyle Teodisio topped the 14-and-under bracket, while Calingasan joined forces with Troan Vytiaco to take the 18-and-under title.

In men’s play, Sebastian Santos dominated the singles finals with an 8-2 win over Mingoy Calingasan, then paired with Andre Santos for an 8-4 triumph over Monte de Ramos and Rombawa in doubles.

Santos also partnered with Rodel Ubay to capture the pro-am doubles championship./ASC, WDJ