Gumbao bags 4 titles; Otoc delivers

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.