Gen. Trias bets shine in Palawan Zentro jrs netfest

MANILA, Philippines — Unranked Ella Mhae Paglalunan and fellow Gen. Trias, Cavite standout Raven Licayan powered a sweep of the MVP honors in the Zentro Juniors Age-Group Championships, with Paglalauan completing a two-title romp and Licayan adding a boys’ crown at the Zentro courts and Pulilan Tennis Club in Bulacan. Paglalunan stole the spotlight in the girls’ 16-and-under singles, toppling three seeded rivals on her way to the title before ruling the 14-and-U division as well to emerge as the lone double-gold medalist in the Group 2 tournament sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Ranking. The rising star from Gen. Trias first disposed of Maxine Chua and Alexa Morales in the opening rounds, then routed No. 4 seed Michaela Suarez, 6-1, before scoring a 6-3, ret. victory over No. 2 Jan Cadee Dagoon in the semifinals. Paglalunan then capped her stunning run with a 6-1, 6-0 demolition of No. 6 seed Lilith Rufino in the championship. Earlier, Paglalunan lived up to her top billing in the girls’ 14-and-U class, dropping just eight games in five matches. She completed the sweep with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Rufino in the final. Licayan likewise emerged as a double finalist and one of the tournament’s two co-MVPs, securing...