Keen competition across various age-group divisions is expected as the Varca Cebu City National Juniors Tennis Championships gets under way Saturday, May 17, at the Villa Aurora Tennis Courts, drawing over 150 youngsters ready to showcase their power, skills and tactical flair.

Leading the charge is Rizzjun Labindao, who carries the top seed in both the boys’ 16- and 18-and-under singles events. The Aklan native will be the player to beat, though he faces a tough field in both divisions, each featuring a 32-player draw teeming with talent.

In the 18-and-U category, Labindao will be challenged by Kenneth Jumamoy, Gio Manito, Andrian Rodriguez, Paul Verallo, AJ Gairanod, Fredrick Perlas and Aaron Lopez. The 16-and-U bracket is just as stacked, with Rodriguez, Gairanod, Gil Niere, Perlas, Daniel Neri, Kenji Kue and Bryant Ada joining the fray.

The boys’ 14-and-U division features a promising field, headlined by siblings Pete and Gil Niere, along with Kue and Ciaran Alipo-on. Meanwhile, Ian Gairanod and Dale Diamante are tipped to lead the charge in the 12-and-U bracket.

The Group 2 tournament is presented by Dunlop and held as part of the PPS-PEPP circuit, an initiative of Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro, in coordination with Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports. It is also sanctioned by Philta, ensuring top-tier officiating and standards.

On the girls’ side, an equally fierce battle looms in the 18-and-U division with Tori Deocampo, Gesellyn Constancio, Donna Mae Diamante and Mae Parangan all poised for a tight race to the title.

Rising star Kathlyn Bugna of La Carlota returns as the top seed in the girls’ 14-and-U category, joined by challengers Isobel Alipo-on, Theriz Zapatos, and Kate Chavez.

Bugna, who has strung together impressive wins across the PPS-PEPP circuit in MAC’s Crankit in Pasig, and Iloilo, Bacolod, Roxas and Kalibo legs, also seeks another win in the girls’ 16-and-U, where she will battle top seed Molly Tan, No. 2 Mae Diamante and No. 3 Isobel Alipo-on.

In the girls’ 12-and-U, expect a showdown between Chavez and Abby Joy Castigador, while the 10-and-U unisex category is set for an exciting contest led by Enzo Niere and Dale Diamante.

Also at stake are the doubles titles in the boys’ and girls’ 14- and 18-and-U divisions, as well as the 10-and-U unisex doubles.

Following the Cebu leg, the PPS-PEPP circuit shifts to Mindanao, with Dipolog City hosting the next Group 2 tournament from May 22 to 26, followed by a stop in Pagadian City from May 27 to 31. For details and registration, contact tournament organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-404-6464.