Manila: Second seed Jana Diaz advanced to the girls' U18 final by defeating third seed Avegail Joy Ansay, 6-2, 6-0, during the Philta National Age Group Championships held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
According to Philippines News Agency, Diaz, who has previously won the Batang Pinoy National Championships singles title twice, is set to face top seed Stefi Marithe Aludo in the final. Aludo secured her spot in the championship match by overcoming seventh seed Gesellyn Constancio.
In the girls' U16 division, top-seeded Kathlyn Bugna of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, triumphed over fifth seed Michaela Suarez, 6-0, 6-1. Bugna will now compete against third seed Ava Banson, who defeated second seed Maria Astrid Cablitas with a score of 6-2, 6-0.
In the girls' U14 category, Zopia Alexa Morales eliminated tenth seed Riomy Yvaine Ambrad, 7-5, 3-6 (10-7), while fifteenth seed Neve Celestine Salvador defeated Maria Carolina Arvesu, 6-4, 6-4, to advance to the third round. Morales is set to face eighth seed Anica Gabriel Palacio, who narrowly won against Perri Drei Almeda, 6-2, 6-7, 12-10. Meanwhile, Salvador will take on fourth seed Francine Madelyn Wong, who convincingly defeated Franchesca Marquez, 6-0, 6-0.
Additional victories in the girls' divisions included top seed Ella Mhae Paglalunan over Mhiel Abigail Agbuis, 6-0, 6-0; second seed Shaner Gabaldon besting Lyn Athena Puylong, 6-0, 6-0; third seed Ma. Angelica dela Cerna overcoming Megumi Tsoi, 6-4, 6-1; fifth seed Athena Zhia Liwag defeating Shane Martina Aludo, 6-1, 6-3; and eighth seed Maria Teresinha Isabel Calingasan winning against Rafaeli Frances Gomez, 6-0, 6-3.
In the boys' U14 division, second-round winners were top seed Kresthan Belacas, second seed Tyrone Grey Caro, third seed Jan Caleb Villeno, fourth seed Francisco De Juan III, fifth seed AJ Rabino, sixth seed Jairus Peralta, seventh seed Jfsky Berille, and eighth seed Claudwin Seven Tonacao.
In the boys' U18 division, fourth seed Gavin Kraut advanced to the third round after defeating Kianne Cunanan, 6-4, 6-1. Kraut will next face Jeremiah Caleb Labasano, who dominated Ronnier Ivan Ferrer, 6-1, 6-0. Other notable results included fifth seed Julio Naredo's victory over Vince Elohim Lorenzo, 6-1, 6-0, and tenth seed Gerald Villafranca's win against Tomas Javier Roque, 6-2, 6-1.
