Queen Villa lived up to her billing, while unranked Juvels Velos stunned seeded rivals to emerge as the standout stars of the Varac Cebu City National Juniors Tennis Championships held at the Villa Aurora Racquet Club in Cebu City over the weekend.
Villa, the top seed, showcased her dominance in the girls’ categories, first overcoming Danica Diamante, 6-4, 6-4, in the semifinals before decisively defeating Molly Tan, 6-2, 6-0, to claim the girls’ 16-and-under crown.
The rising star from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, then extended her brilliance to the premier 18-and-under division, crushing Davanee Velasco, 6-0, 6-2, to complete a stellar campaign in the Group 2 event presented by Dunlop.
Velos, meanwhile, turned heads with a series of upsets.
He shocked top-seeded Aaron Tabura, 6-1, 6-4, in the quarterfinals, breezed past Chris Villarin, 6-1, 6-2, in the semifinals, and defeated second seed Matthew Morris, 6-1, 6-2, to secure the boys’ 16-and-under title.
The Danao City native continued his extraordinary run in the 18-and-under division, stunning No. 1 seed Carl Miasco, 6-4, 6-2, in the semifinals before defeating No. 2 seed and doubles partner RB John Lataza, 6-4, 6-2, in the finals.
His remarkable performance earned him co-MVP honors alongside Villa in the five-day tournament sanctioned by Philta and supported by Universal Ranking Tennis and ICON Golf & Sports, which is part of the country’s longest-running talent search initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro.
Other players also shone throughout the tournament.
Enzo Niere defeated Nino Lambating, 5-4 (2), 4-2, to win the boys’ 10-and-under unisex category.
Claudwin Toñacao overwhelmed James Estrella, 6-1, 6-0, to capture the boys’ 12-and-under crown, while Morris outplayed Jhunreal Espinosa, 6-2, 6-4, to secure the boys’ 14-and-under title.
In the girls’ divisions, Danica Diamante routed Michaella Esmero, 6-0, 6-1, to claim the 12-and-under championship, while Thea Castro bested Tan, 6-2, 6-2, to win the 14-and-under category.
In doubles play, Niere teamed up with Dale Diamante to defeat Marius Go and Lambating, 8-3, in the boys’ 10-and-under finals.
Morris and Espinosa teamed up to trounce Gil Niere and Villarin, 8-2, in the boys’ 14-and-under doubles, while Danica Diamante and Tan overpowered Nadine Diamante and Esmero, 8-2, in the girls’ 14-and-under doubles.
Velos and Lataza showcased their synergy by defeating John Jumamoy and Gio Manito, 8-4, in the boys’ 18-and-under doubles, while Villa and Castro dominated Samantha Ortega and Velasco, 8-2, in the girls’ 18-and-under doubles.
