Kathlyn Bugna marked her return to the PPS-PEPP junior circuit in smashing fashion, sweeping two singles titles and capturing the doubles crown in the Gov. Edwin Jubahib National Juniors Tennis Championships at the DavNor Sports Tourism Complex in Tagum City, Davao del Norte over the weekend.

Showing little rust despite a lengthy layoff, the 16-year-old from La Carlota City dominated the girls’ 16-and-under division, dropping just six games in four matches. She capped her campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Francine Wong of Cagayan de Oro City.

Wong, who claimed two titles in last week’s PPS leg in Digos City, had earlier ousted second seed Justine Gumbao, 6-2, 6-3, but struggled to contain Bugna’s power and relentless baseline game. The Team Batang Onay standout also displayed superb court coverage to stay in control throughout their finals clash.

Bugna proved even more dominant when she faced Wong again in the girls’ 18-and-U finals, cruising to a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory. She later teamed up with Teresinha Calingasan to defeat Teiko Ello and Maureen Mamaba, 8-4, and clinch the 18-and-U doubles crown, completing a three-title sweep in the Group 2 event held in honor of Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib as part of ongoing efforts with Palawan Pawnshop to further promote the sport and discover emerging talents.

Mlang, Cotabato’s Kresthan Belacas delivered an equally impressive performance in the boys’ side, also capturing three titles to share the MVP honors with Bugna in the Philta-sanctioned tournament supported by Universal Tennis Ranking, ICON Golf & Sports and the Palawan Pawnshop Group of Companies.

Belacas dominated Archie Roceta, 6-1, 6-0, in the boys’ 14-and-U finals, then stunned top seed Rein Czar Hayana, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-1, to claim the 16-and-U crown in the tournament that concluded the five-leg Mindanao swing with stops in Gen. Santos City, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato.

He also teamed up with Joaquin Dacyon to edge Francis Dimzon and Jay Paspie, 8-5, and secure the 14-and-U doubles title.

Meanwhile, Wong bounced back from her losses to Bugna by claiming the girls’ 14-and-U crown with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Gumbao.

In other results, Jhazz Fernando rallied past Harinne Antiola, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, in a duel of homegrown talents to capture the boys’ 18-and-U title. Fernando had earlier ousted third seed Daniel Giducos, 6-0, 6-4, in the semis, while Antiola shocked top seed Isaac Sanke, 6-4, 6-2.

Cagayan de Oro’s Kyrie Ugay also impressed, overpowering Arissa Macapendge, 6-1, 6-1, in the girls’ 12-and-U final, while Makati’s Liam Harrow defeated Dimzon, 6-4, 6-1, to rule the boys’ youngest division.

In doubles play, Santino Danganon and James Madalo upset top seeds Giducos and Sanke, 8-2, for the boys’ 18-and-U title, while Aiya Poculan and Samantha Rodriguez repelled Gumbao and Macapendeg, 8-5, to secure the girls’ 14-and-U crown.

The PPS-PEPP junior circuit resumes on March 19 with the Rep. Eric Olivarez Juniors Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque City. Registration is ongoing. For details, contact tournament director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.