COTABATO, Philippines: Dhea Cua sets her sights on a remarkable fourth consecutive "double" victory in the Ronald Barrios Cup National Juniors Tennis Championships, which got under way Friday (March 8) at the Kidapawan City Club in Cotabato.
Radiating confidence, riding the wave of momentum and basking in crowd support, Cua is a standout contender in the tournament's Group 2 category, presented by Dunlop and a vital part of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala junior circuit.
Although currently holding the No. 4 seeding in the girls' 16-and-under division and awaiting updated rankings in the 18-and-U category, Cua remains the player to beat, drawing attention as the marked contender.
But out to foil her drive in the premier class are Chelsea Bernaldez, sisters Althea and Aika Salahuddin and doubles partner Sanschena Francisco with Aika Salahuddin also providing the challenge in the 16-and-U division, alongside Camille Clar and Jamnah Otico.
The boys' side promises intense battles with top seed Chad Globasa likewise eyeing a sweep of the top two titles. In the 18-and-U category, he faces tough opposition from Randy Pausanos, Iñigo Barrios and Pete Cua, while Mohammad Mosaid, Shalimar Aba-Conding and Barrios go all-out to stop Globasa in the 16-and-U play of the tournament sanctioned by Philta, PPS-NTC and UTR.
Close to 250 entries across nine age-group divisions are disputing top honors in the week-long tournament backed by Universal Tennis and Slazenger with the four boys' categories and three in the girls' division drawing full-packed 32-player rosters, underscoring the enthusiasm of young players from the host city and nearby provinces.
Meanwhile, action in the long-running talent-search, sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, shifts to Lucena next week at the Inigos Resort. For details, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.
Leading the charge in the 14-and-U side are Krelz Jan Gecosala, Julius Otoc, Axlejeal Cubelo and Krisnel Batilo (boys) and Jamnah Otico, Princess Placa, Jhuane Flores and Pat Bonilla (girls), while Kresthan Belacas, Jaycee Compa, Gabriel Francisco and Jon Roceta (boys) and Daneea Sinsuat and Justine Gumbao (girls) top-bill the 12-and-under division.
But as the action unfolded in Cotabato, the anticipation for another dominating performance from Cua is evident, given her recent triumphs in the Gov. Edwin Jubahib Cup in Davao del Norte, the Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas Championship in Digos CIty and the Gov. Yvonne Cagas tournament in Davao del Sur over the past three weeks.