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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Junior aces stay battle-ready through holidays in Crank It tennis

Junior aces stay battle-ready through holidays in Crank It tennis

Published Dec 28, 2025 01:55 pm

At A Glance

  • There is no letup for the country's leading junior tennis players and rising stars as they continue their relentless pursuit of titles and ranking points in the MAC's Crank It National Junior Championships, which got under way Friday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.
There is no letup for the country’s leading junior tennis players and rising stars as they continue their relentless pursuit of titles and ranking points in the MAC’s Crank It National Junior Championships, which got under way Friday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque.
Despite the holiday season, the young guns remain locked in competitive mode, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to maintaining sharpness, discipline and match toughness as players gear up for a demanding 2026 season. Sanctioned by Philta and organized by the MAC’s Crank It Foundation, the Group 2 tournament serves as both a proving ground and a confidence builder for the nation’s next wave of tennis standouts.
Jan Cadee Dagoon seeks to sustain the momentum of her triumphant home campaign in the 16-and-under category at the recent PPS-PEPP Olongapo tournament, as she spearheads a loaded girls’ 18-and-U field that includes Avegail Ansay, Astrid Cablitas and Mikaela Ngu.
Dagoon is also entered in the 16-and-U division, which features top seed Ayl Gonzaga alongside Cablitas, Natasha Gabriel, Leanne Barrido, Talitha Lopez, Jasmine Solis and Amelia Santos, promising high-level battles as the season draws to a close.
On the boys’ side, siblings Frank and France Dilao banner the premier 18-and-U cast, bolstered by Antonio Ng Jr., Julio Naredo, Rafa Monte De Ramos, Anirudh Palanisamy, Karl Almiron and Jaime Reyes. The depth of the field reflects the growing competitiveness of the local junior circuit, where consistent tournament play is key to long-term development.
Lexious Cruz headlines the boys’ 16-and-U division, joined by Monte De Ramos, Krelz Gecosala, Naredo, Anthony Castigador, Palanisamy, Almiron and Nicholas Andal, ensuring intense matchups and valuable ranking points at stake.
Equally compelling action is expected in the 14-and-U category. Ella Paglalunan, Gonzaga, Cablitas, Barrido, Donarose Olavides, Abby Castigador and Solis lead the girls’ side, while Anthony Castigador, Gecosala, Tyronne Caro, Jfsky Berille, Kenji Kue, Dean Palaroan, Yuan Torrente and Juan Antonio Cablitas anchor the boys’ division in the tournament backed by Dunlop, Universal Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports, and held under the PPS-PEPP program initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.
Strong participation is also seen in the 12-and-U brackets, with Olavides and Kyla Caguioa pacing the girls’ field that includes Abby Castigador, Anica Palacio, Gabrielle Co, Eilythia Comia, Celestine Salvador and Mira Plaza. On the boys’ side, Torrente is tipped to contend alongside Liam Harrow, Noel Zoleta, Angelo Alegria, Terrence Batallones, Rafael Cablitas, Azl Gonzaga and Yuan Ringor.
Focus will likewise be on the youngest competitors in the 10-and-U unisex division, where Arjun Puthraya, Francis Angeles, Batallones, Matias Aguilera, Rafael Cablitas, Azl Gonzaga, Francis Abacan and Brielle Loyola aim to make early impressions in a spirited showcase of emerging talent.
Also at stake are doubles titles across the 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-and-U (boys’) divisions, as well as the 14- and 18-and-U (girls’) and 10-and-U unisex events. Beyond trophies and points, the championships reinforce the Crank It Foundation’s mission of empowering youth through sports, education and mentorship – keeping young players competitive, confident and motivated as they transition into the new 2026 tennis season.
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