Dagoon, Gecosala bag twin titles in Gentry Nat’l juniors

MANILA, Philippines — Jan Cadee Dagoon and Krelz Gecolasa emerged as the biggest revelations of the Gentry National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Colegio San Agustin courts in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan over the weekend, each capturing twin titles to underscore their rise as future stars of Philippine tennis.

Dagoon, a multi-titled campaigner, lived up to her billing as the second seed in the girls’ 16-and-under division, exacting revenge for top-seed and fellow Olongapo City rising star Ayl Gonzaga’s earlier loss to Izabelle Camcam in the semifinals. In a display of dominance, she blanked Camcam, 6-0, 6-0, to claim the crown.

In the 18-and-U semis, she survived a tight battle with Gonzaga, 6-3, 7-6(3), before dismantling Dania Bulanadi, 6-1, 6-2, to complete her two-title romp.

Her impressive campaign didn’t end there. Dagoon went on to claim a third crown, teaming up with Gonzaga to clinch the 18-and-U doubles title with a commanding 8-2 win over Bulanadi and Athena Liwag – a feat that stamped her class and showcased her versatility across both singles and doubles play in the tournament which featured some of the country’s most talented junior players, competing under the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) national circuit.

Gonzaga, meanwhile, made her own statement by ruling her own age category. Just 14 years old, she showcased poise and maturity beyond her years, sweeping past Liwag, 6-2, 6-2, in the semis and then routing Vania Parawan, 6-0, 6-3, to rule her age division. Her performance confirmed her as one of the brightest prospects on the national junior tennis radar.

Gecolasa, hailing from Midsayap, North Cotabato, also completed a golden double with gritty performances in the boys’ side. He toppled top seed Brendan Morales in the 16-and-U finals, 4-6, 6-3, 4-0(ret.), after a clinical 6-1, 6-2 demolition of Muhammad Keyan Sarip in the 14-and-U championship. His consistency, court IQ, and coolness under pressure suggest a player with the tools to go far.

Meanwhile, Kean Enriquez stole the spotlight in the boys’ premier division with a remarkable underdog run. Unseeded and unfazed, he stunned No. 2 seed Morales, 6-0, 6-3, in the quarterfinals, then ousted third ranked Julio Naredo, 6-3, 6-1, before outlasting fellow dark horse Ezio Martelino in the finals, 7-6(6), 5-3(ret.). Martelino had earlier shocked top seed Gavin Kraut in the semis, 6-3, 6-3, but couldn't match Enriquez's resilience in the final stretch.

Daneea Sinsuat and Sebastian Vitaliano emerged as standouts in the 12-and-U division, with Sinsuat sweeping past Anica Palacio, 6-2, 6-0, and Vitaliano overcoming top seed Tyronne Caro, 6-3, 6-3, showing depth and talent among the sport’s youngest ranks.

In the 10-and-U unisex category, Raven de Guzman announced his arrival with a decisive 4-2, 4-2 victory over Matias Aguilera in the finals. De Guzman, paired with Terrence Battalones, also triumphed in doubles, edging Aguilera and Axl Gonzaga, 8-5, to secure his second title of the tournament.

Doubles competition also delivered exciting upsets and high-level action. Unseeded duo Stephen Fuertes and Khean Nuñez stunned the top-seeded pair of Naredo and Morales, 8-5, to win the boys’ 18-and-U crown. In the girls’ 14-and-U doubles, Camcam rebounded from her singles loss to team up with Parawan for an 8-4 win over Liwag and Francine Wong. Anthony Cosca and Sarin eked out a hard-fought 8-5 win over Caro and Vitaliano in the boys’ side of the same age group.

The tournament, staged alongside the Open division which offered a record P2 million prize pool thanks to Great Wall Motor Philippines and Gentry Timepieces through Hayb Anzures, was presented by Dunlop and supported by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro. The event reinforced the depth of young tennis talent across the country and provided a platform for the next generation of champions to shine. TMT

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