Ituriaga, Bautista shine in Tamagos Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Jann Ian Ituriaga achieved a remarkable double victory while Sandra Bautista secured a win and a runner-up finish as they took top honors in the PPS-PEPP Tamagos Cup National Tennis Championships at the Kalibo 1 courts in Aklan over the weekend.

The top-seeded Ituriaga from Iloilo City showcased his stellar skills by dominating the boys’ division. He defeated No. 4 Rizzjun Labindao, 6-1, 6-2, in the 16-and-under final, and then overcame Andrew dela Cruz, 7-6(4), 6-2, to clinch the 18-and-U championship.

Although Bautista couldn’t match Ituriaga’s double triumph, the rising star from Bacoor, Cavite still earned MVP honors. She won the girls’ 16-and-U crown with a 6-0, 7-6(2) victory over doubles partner Andrea Malbas. However, her bid for a second title was thwarted by Czarina Miraflor, who won a hard-fought 7-5, 3-6, 10-8 decision in the 18-and-U final.

Other winners in the Group 2 event, presented by Dunlop and held as part of the PPS-PEPP circuit, organized by Palawan Pawnshop under the leadership of president/CEO Bobby Castro, included John Rafael Santiago and Tiffany Jannah (14-and-U), Ciaran Alipo-on and Theriz Zapatos (12-and-U) and Mikaela Chavez (10-and-under unisex).

Santiago survived a semis scare against Labindao, hacking out a 6-7(4), 6-2, 10-8 victory, before dispatching Francisco De Juan III, 6-2, 6-0, in the final. Jannah trampled Besper Zapatos, 6-2, 6-0, while Alipo-on upset top seed De Juan, 5-7, 6-2, 10-8, and Theriz Zapatos stamped her class over Michaela Suarez, 6-2, 6-1.