By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Kathlyn Bugna reaffirmed her status as the country’s brightest junior tennis prospect with another commanding double-title performance in the Bagong Pilipinas Juniors Age-Group Championships at the Villareal Stadium courts in Roxas City, Capiz.
The Batang Onay / RSB standout from Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City delivered a near-flawless campaign, underscoring her growing dominance on the national stage.
She dropped just one game en route to the girls’ 16-and-under crown and conceded only three games in ruling the 18-and-under division of the Group 2 tournament, which drew a deep field of rising talents from across the country.
Bugna’s latest sweep not only highlighted her consistency but also strengthened her claim as the Philippines’ top junior player today — a distinction she continues to back up with emphatic wins and remarkable composure beyond her years.
In the 16-and-under finals, Bugna sealed the title with a 2-1 (ret.) victory over doubles partner Theriz Zapatos, capping a dominant run that included lopsided wins against Dominique Calingasan and Princess Obaniana.
She carried that same intensity into the premier division where she dismantled Besper Zapatos, 6-1, 6-1, before advancing past Theriz Zapatos via a 1-0 (ret.) result in the semis. She then crushed Tori Deocampo, 6-1, 6-1, in the finals to complete another clinical title run.
Not content with two championships, Bugna added a third trophy by teaming up with Theriz Zapatos to rout Deocampo and Besper Zapatos, 8-3, in the 18-and-under doubles finals, further proof of her all-around strength and competitive maturity.
Her Capiz triumph followed similar victories in Bacolod and the first leg of the Capiztahan event, making her run even more impressive as she continues to dominate across multiple stops of the national circuit.
While Bugna hogged the spotlight, Anthony Castigador matched her brilliance on the boys’ side, capturing both the 16-and-under and 18-and-under titles to share MVP honors in the weeklong tournament held alongside the Capiztahan founding anniversary celebrations.
Castigador overcame a second-set struggle to fend off Francisco de Juan III, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, in the 16-and-under finals. He then stunned top seed Andrian Rodriguez, 6-1, 6-2, in the 18-and-under semifinals before overpowering Rizzjun Labindao, 6-4, 6-0, in the championship match.
Other standout performers included Kacy Virparia of Iloilo’s Barotac Viejo, who toppled top seed Teresinha Calingasan and No. 2 Theriz Zapatos to clinch the girls’ 14-and-under title, and De Juan, who bounced back to rule the boys’ 14-and-under division. Kate Chavez dominated the girls’ 12-and-under category, while Harrow Liam prevailed in the boys’ youngest group./ASC, WDJ