Ayl Gonzaga cemented her reputation as one of the country’s most promising young tennis stars with another dominant performance, capturing two individual titles in the Gov. Datu Pax Sangki Mangudadatu National Juniors Tennis Championships in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat last Monday, Sept. 22.

The top-seeded Gonzaga was in commanding form, dropping just one game in three matches on her way to the girls’ 14-and-under final, where she then dispatched No. 2 seed Justine Gumbao, 6-4, 6-2.

Gonzaga, a rising talent from Olongapo City, faced a tougher challenge in the 16-and-U division, surviving a semifinal scare against Mariam Mokalam, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. She returned to form in the final, once again overcoming Gumbao, 6-2, 6-4, to complete a double-title sweep and clinch the MVP honors.

Her latest feat follows a string of impressive performances on the nationwide PPS-PEPP circuit, including a three-title conquest in Cotabato, further affirming her status among the country’s elite juniors.

Shaun Globasa also made his mark in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop, dominating the boys’ 18-and-U field with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Iñigo Barrios. Although he fell short in the 16-and-U final to No. 4 Krelz Gecosala, 7-5, 7-5, the Midsayap, North Cotabato standout shared MVP honors with Gonzaga for his title win and runner-up finish.

The tournament, hosted by Gov. Mangudadatu, reflects the province’s commitment to developing junior tennis while promoting active lifestyles among the youth to combat screen time addiction.

In other results, local ace Sanschena Francisco turned back Kirsten Gorre 7-6(6), 6-4, in the girls’ 18-and-U finals, while KC Rabino from Gen. Santos City toppled Miel Cua, 6-4, 6-2, in a duel of unranked bets in the girls’ 12-and-U class of the tournament sanctioned by Philta and supported by Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports.

Carl Eduarte from Kidapawan City captured the boys’ 14-and-U diadem with a come-from-behind 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over AJ Rabino, while Kresthan Belacas from Mlang, Cotabato dominated Andrei Domasing, 6-0, 6-1, in the boys’ 12-and-U finals.

Davao City’s Shamira Macapendeg, on the other hand, triumphed in the 10-and-U unisex by downing doubles partner Rabino, 4-1, 5-3. Macapendeg and Rabino later won the doubles plum with an 8-3 romp over Joaquin Calingasan and Kirk Gonzaga.

In other doubles results, Gumbao and Kathryina Makabangkit stopped Gonzaga and Lucia Calingasan, 8-4 victory in the 14-and-U division, while Francisco and Princess Obaniana claimed the 18-and-U trophy with an 8-1 rout of Francine Barcenas and Corazon Sandigan.

Tom Songcayauon and Julius Otoc also foiled Gecosala and Globasa, 8-5, in the boys’ 18-and-U finals, while Belacas and Rabino took the 14-and-U title with a tough 8-7(5) escape over Eduarte and Jacobo Cabañero.