Streaking Jan Cadee Dagoon and Krelz Gecosala head to Cotabato brimming with confidence as the third leg of the PPS-PEPP Mindanao circuit unfolds this weekend at the Matalam Municipal and Cotelco courts in Matalam.

The red-hot tandem has been virtually untouchable in the first two stops in Gen. Santos City and Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, sweeping both the 16U and 18U divisions to stamp their class in the Group 2 tournament dubbed the Mayor Oscar Valdevieso National Junior Tennis Championships.

With back-to-back double-title feats, Dagoon and Gecosala have emerged as the players to beat anew in the five-day event, part of the country’s longest-running grassroots talent search.

Despite their dominant run, both remain on guard.

Dagoon braces for another possible title duel with doubles partner Justine Gumbao in the girls’ 16U division, while also keeping a wary eye on Mariam Mokalam in the premier 18U class. With home bets eager to shine on familiar courts, the battle for top honors and ranking points promises to be fiercer than ever.

Gecosala, for his part, expects a sterner test in the boys’ side. Julius Otoc, Carl Eduarte and Aljaven Lumambas loom as major threats in the 16U play, while Shaun Globasa, Selwyn Sanke and Tom Songcayauon are all primed to derail the rising Midsayap, Cotabato standout’s bid for another sweep in the top division.

Also seeking to sustain their Isulan momentum are Gumbao and Kresthan Belacas in the 14-and-U ranks, along with Daneea Sinsuat and Yuan Torrente in the 12U category.

Yet a wave of hungry young challengers stands ready to shake up the junior hierarchy. Andrei Domasing, Joaquin Dacyon and Francis Pilapil banner the 12U boys’ field, while Aleushia Maurin, Athena Guarde and Ainjel Goloran aim to make their mark in the girls’ side. In the 14U class, AJ Rabino, Patricia Moreno and Kathryina Makabangkit are likewise tipped to contend for breakthrough runs.

The PPS-PEPP circuit features 60 junior tournaments and 12 Open events this season, reinforcing its status as the country’s longest-running grassroots tennis talent search sanctioned by Philta and backed by Universal Tennis, the Palawan Pawnshop Group of Companies and ICON Golf & Sports.

Castro underscored the program’s deeper purpose beyond competition.

“Our mission is not simply to stage tournaments,” Castro said.

“We are building a pathway for young athletes — nurturing raw talent, creating real opportunities, and providing the support they need to grow. Through this circuit, we instill discipline, perseverance and sportsmanship — values that shape not just better players, but better individuals.”