Iloilo youngsters shine in PPS Castro Cup tennis tourney

MANILA, Philippines – Anthony Castigador and Alexandra Onte flaunted their tennis prowess in the Gov. Fredenil Castro Cup National Junior Championships, securing dual victories for Iloilo City at the Villareal Stadium hard courts in Roxas, Capiz over the weekend.

Castigador, the top seed in his categories, demonstrated his dominance by defeating Francisco de Juan III, 6-1, 6-3, in the boys’ 14-and-U finals, then later fending off doubles partner Rizzjun Labindao, 6-1, 6-4, for the 16-and-U trophy in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Meanwhile, Onte asserted her superiority in the girls’ singles events, scoring a 6-3, 4-0(ret.) win over Andrea Malbas in the 16-and-U category, and posting a convincing 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Sam Malbas in the premier 18-and-U division of the event held in conjunction with the Capiztahan celebrations.

Capistrano and Onte’s stellar performances earned them the coveted MVP honors in the five-day tournament, which served as part of the Palawan Pawnshop nationwide junior circuit put up by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Additionally, they led their respective doubles teams to victory, with Castigador and Labindao winning the 14-and-U plum, and Onte partnering with Aleeva Suace to pocket the 18-and-U crown.

Other notable winners were Ian Ituriaga, de Juan and Mikaela Chavez, also all from Iloilo, as well as siblings Besper and Theriz Zapatos from Kalibo, Aklan.

Ituriaga took the boys’ 18-and-U title after a walkover win over Marben Alimarin, while de Juan emerged victorious in the 12-and-U side with a 1-0(ret.) triumph over Don Olavides.

Chavez dominated the 10-and-U unisex finals with a 4-1, 4-1 romp over Abby Castigador, while Besper Zapatos defeated Theriz in a thrilling three-setter match for the girls’ 14-and-U title.

The tournament, sanctioned by Philta and supported by Slazenger and Universal Tennis Ranking with Rudolfo Suites as the official hotel, also saw Abby Castigador and Chavez win the 10-unisex doubles crown, alongside Ituriaga and Gian dela Cruz (boys’ 18-and-U), and Tori de Ocampo and Suarez (girls’ 14-and-U).

In the Legends division, Nikhel Nowlakha and Christian Bolanos topped the 20s men’s doubles, while Tyrone Javero and Cromwell Teves took the 30s trophy, Jonito Crisosto and Danny Sajonia nailed the 40s and 50s crowns, and Ronilo Gialogo and Joey Usison romped off with the 60s diadem.