A festive yet fiercely competitive two-week tournament featuring the country’s top and rising junior players has ushered in the new PPS-PEPP season, igniting another year of province-hopping action designed to discover, develop and prepare future national talents for international competitions.

Billed as the Zopiya Morales National Juniors Tennis Championships, the kickoff leg got under way Thursday with boys’ competitions in the 18U, 16U, 14U and 12U divisions, setting the tone for what promises to be another banner year for Philippine junior tennis.

Tournament director Bobby Mangunay said the event is being staged over two weeks to accommodate the large number of eager entries, a testament to the sport’s growing popularity at the grassroots level. The girls’ competition will be held from 15 to 19 January at the Zentro clay courts in Apalit, Pampanga.

“This is always one of the most exciting stops on the calendar,” Mangunay said.

“You can really feel the hunger and excitement of the kids. Everyone wants to start the season strong, gain confidence early and build momentum for the long grind ahead.”

Brimming with youthful energy, renewed ambition and a packed competitive calendar, the PPS–PEPP season opens with players driven not only to win, but to belong, to improve and to chase bigger dreams on and off the court — dreams fueled by the global success of Alex Eala, whose rise continues to inspire a new generation.

Bannering the Group 2 tournament, presented by Dunlop and sanctioned by Philta, are Troan Vytiaco, Felizardo Lota III, Karl Almiron and Anthony Cosca in the 18U division.

Cosca also carries the top seeding in the highly competitive 16U category, which features Vytiaco, Antonio Bengzon and Kenji Kue, ensuring no shortage of high-intensity matchups right from the opening rounds.

Equally compelling battles are expected in the 14U division, with Tyronne Caro, Jfsky Berille, Jairus Peralta and Yuan Torrente bracing for a spirited showdown, alongside Juan Antonio Cablitas, Joaquin Dacyon, Raven de Guzman and Avriel Panaligan.

Torrente, meanwhile, leads a deep and talented field in the 12U class that includes Liam Harrow, Dacyon, Noel Zoleta, Kirk Gonzaga, de Guzman, Matias Aguilera and Bavin Ong — youngsters all eager to make an early statement and experience that all-important first winning feeling of the season.