Promising young talents from the southern regions take center stage in pursuit of titles and ranking points in the Gov. Edwin Jubahib Cup national tennis championships, which begins today at the DavNor Tourism Sports Complex courts in Davao del Norte.

The five-day Group 2 tournament, featuring close to 250 players across nine age groups, marks the inaugural leg of a two-part series presented by Dunlop and initiated by Gov. Edwin Jubahib to elevate the sport and unearth future tennis stars.

The next tournament is set from 15 to 19 February.

Jason Battad, Randy Pausanos, Stephen Fuertes and Bench Neri lead the cast in the boys' 18-and-under division with Chelsea Bernaldez, Ana Salahuddin, Aika Salahuddin and Sanschena Francisco bannering the girls' side of the premier category, which both drew 32-player rosters.

Battad and Fuertes also head the 16-under cast that includes Mohammad Mosaid and Error Giducos, while Aika Salahuddin also shoots for a double as she gains the top seeding in the girls' 16-under play that also features Camille Clar, Jannah Otico and Faith Lazaro.

Fierce duels are also expected in the 14-under category with Yendor Carvajal, Matt Docena, Dexter Salcedo and Gian Luna leading the boys' roster and Otico spearheading the girls' side that includes Princess Placa, Jhuane Flores and Arriana Maglana.

Kresthan Belugas, Francis Florida, Jaycee Compa and Docena are tipped to dispute the boys' 12-under title with Justine Gumbao and Shan Tuyor bracing for duel in the girls' division of the event serving as part of the country's longest talent-search sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Daneea Sinsuat, Gabriel Francisco, Francis Dimzon and Christian Otig, on the other hand, set out for spirited duel in the 10-and-under unisex class of the tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association and the Universal Tennis Ranking.

Meanwhile, the Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas Cup will be held from 22 to 26 February, another juniors Group 2 tournament at the Digos City Tennis Club to be followed by the Gov. Yvonne Cagas Cup on 29 February to 4 March at the Bansalan Tennis Club.

Action shifts to Kidapawan City from 7 to 11 March for the Kidapawan City NTC in Cotabato.