JUSTINE Gumbao (second from left) and Julius Otoc display their trophies after dominating the Kidapawan City Juniors Age-Group Tennis Championships recently. Joining them are Palawan Pawnshop’s Ronald Barrios (left) and Kidapawan City Tennis Club president Bernie Go (right).
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PPS
Justine Gumbao and Julius Otoc stamped their class in the Palawan Pawnshop’s Kidapawan City Juniors Age-Group Tennis Championships, powering to a combined six titles and emerging as the standout performers of the week-long Group 2 tournament at the Kidapawan courts.
Gumbao was particularly dominant, sweeping the girls’ 14U and 16U singles crowns before adding two doubles titles for a rare four-title haul.
The top seed in the girls’ division overwhelmed Chandra Felecio, 6-1, 6-3, in the 14U final, then returned to the court to dispatch Marxian Sira, 6-1, 6-0, for the 16U championship.
She dropped just 11 games in six singles matches across the two age groups, underlining the gap she created over the field with her aggressive shot-making and relentless pressure.
Gumbao completed her four-title sweep in doubles, teaming up with Kathryina Makabangit to whip Sabrina Esiderio and Maurin, 8-1, for the 14U crown. She later paired with Clar to rout Gorre and Sira, 8-2, in the 18U final.
