Cadee Jan Dagoon secured a victory and a runner-up finish in singles play to earn Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors alongside Marcus Go in the Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. National Juniors Tennis Championships at the Olongapo Tennis Club over the weekend.
Dagoon displayed exceptional skill and determination, beating Maristella Torrecampo, 6-2, 4-6, 11-9, in the semis then overpowering top seed Ave Maria Policarpio, 6-3, 6-2, to secure the girls’14-and-under crown.
The rising local star, however, faced a challenge in the 16-and-U finals, where she had to retire against Nueva Ecija’s Jayden Reece Ballado with a 5-1(ret.) result in the Group I tournament.
On her path to the title, Ballado stunned No. 1 Sandra Bautista in a gripping semis match, 7-5, 6-4.
Go, on the other hand, racked up another victory in the 12-and-U category, showcasing his prowess by beating Jairus Peralta, 6-2, 6-2. But the top Quezon City bet fell short in the 14-and-U title match against top seed Mikael Honrado from Makati City, who claimed a 7-5, 7-5 decision.
The event marked its anticipated return to the PPS-PEPP’s calendar through the efforts of Rolen Paulino Sr., the former Mayor and SBMA chairman, now serving on the BCDA board.
The successful turnout led Paulino Sr. and the local government partners, including Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., to pledge their continued support for the PPS grassroots program. This initiative, free for all young enthusiasts, is set next month and aims to nurture the sport and discover new talents.
Olongapo will also host a juniors and legends tournament in September, culminating in the National Men’s Open in December.
Other winners were Olongapo’s Darwin Cosca and QC’s Chloe Mercado, Samuel Davila from Cainta, Rizal, Torrecampo and Yuan Torrente.
Cosca repelled doubles partner Ariel Cabaral, 6-3, 6-4, while Mercado toppled Shiloh Cruz, 6-3, 6-2, in the 18-and-U class; Davila slammed Lucas Go, 6-4, 6-1, in the boys’ 16-and-U finals; Torrecampo ripped Ella Paglalunan, 6-0, 6-2, in the girls’ 12-and-U finals; and Torrente trounced Enzo Niere, 4-0, 4-0, for the 10-and-U unisex title.
