Junior tennis continues to surge in Mindanao as General Santos City hosts the kickoff leg of a five-tournament swing beginning Thursday at the GenSan City courts.

The Hon. Lorelie Pacquiao National Juniors Tennis Championships, a Philta- and Universal Tennis-sanctioned Group 2 event, features competitions in the 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-and-under divisions for boys and girls. Doubles events in the 14U and 18U categories for both divisions are also set.

Backed by the Raketa GenSan Tennis Association, Dunlop and ICON Golf & Sports, the five-day tournament has drawn a strong field, including top campaigners from Luzon chasing ranking points and national honors.

Krelz Gecosala banners the boys’ 16U and 18U divisions, alongside Atip Lumambas, Krisnel Batilo, Kresthan Belacas, Isaac Sanke, Charles Gallo and Justin Malabuyoc.

The event is supported by the Palawan Pawnshop Group of Companies, including PPS-PEPP, PalawanPay, Palawan Protektodo, Palawan Pawnshop Jewelry, Palawan Gold, Palawan Credit and Palawan for Business.

From General Santos, the nationwide tour — initiated by Palawan Pawnshop president and CEO Bobby Castro — moves to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, then to Matalam, Cotabato; Digos City; and finally Tagum City.

The PPS-PEPP has scheduled 60 junior tournaments and 12 Open events this year, underscoring its strong commitment to grassroots sports development.

“We are not only fostering competition, but also investing in the dreams and aspirations of young Filipino athletes across the nation,” Castro said.

Belacas also headlines the 14U bracket, which includes Yuan Torrente, Xian Sugsi, Joaquin Dacyon, AJ Rabino and Leighton Sira. Torrente, meanwhile, takes the top seed in the 12U class featuring Francis Dimzon, Noel Zoleta and Dacyon.

In the girls’ division, Olongapo’s rising star Jan Cadee Dagoon brings her winning form south after a string of victories in Luzon. She tops the seeding in both the 16U and 18U categories and is tipped to dominate.

Challenging her in the 16U division are Justine Gumbao, Francine Wong and Kathryina Makabangkit, while Camille Clar, Cloe Busig and Wong lead the charge in the premier 18U class.

Gumbao and Ong are also expected to clash in the 14U category, along with Daneea Sinsuat, Makabangkit, and Abby Joy Castigador, who heads the 12U field that includes Sinsuat, KC Rabino and Aleushia Maurin.