Bugna, Dagoon split Olongapo tennis crowns

MANILA, Philippines —  Kathlyn Bugna and Jan Cadee Dagoon shared the spotlight in two age-group singles finals at the Olongapo Tennis Club National Junior Championships in Olongapo City last Sunday even as Athena Liwag also made her mark with a victory and a runner-up finish.

The fourth-ranked Bugna overcame top-seeded local ace Dagoon in a thrilling semifinal duel, 6-4, 7-5. She then dominated No. 2 Dania Bulanadi, clinching the girls’ 18-under crown with a 6-4, 6-1 victory in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Dagoon earlier triumphed over La Carlota-Batang Onay’s Bugna in the 16-U finals, winning a nail-biting match, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Liwag, also from the host city, outplayed Abby Castigador 6-1, 6-0 to secure the girls’ 12-U title. However, she faced a setback in the 14-U championships, where she fell to fellow Olongapo native Ayl Gonzaga, 3-6, 1-6.

In the boys’ division, Cabanatuan’s Lexious Cruz crushed No. 4 Karl Almiron 6-2, 6-0 to claim the 18-U trophy. Cruz solidified his dominance by defeating Troan Vytiaco 6-1, 6-2 in the 16-U finals, making him the only “double” winner in the week-long tournament which served as part of the PPS-PEPP nationwide circuit initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Fourth seed Jairus Peralta from Pangasinan stunned top seed Anthony Cosca 7-5, 2-6, 6-0 to claim the 14-U title. However, local bet Yuan Torrente thwarted Peralta’s bid for a second title, securing a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the 12-U finals.

Top-ranked Raven de Guzman showcased his talent by overcoming No. 2 Francis Angels 4-2, 4-2 to win in the youngest 10-U unisex division of the event sanctioned by Philta and supported by Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports.