Manila: The country's top juniors, led by Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) bronze medalist and defending singles champion Stefi Marithe Aludo, will see action in the two-leg Oscar J. Hilado J60 World Tennis Championship at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Manila. They will be up against players from Thailand, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Malaysia, and Hong Kong in the U18 event offering World Tennis points.

According to Philippines News Agency, the first leg of the tournament will occur from July 20 to 26, with the second leg following from July 28 to August 2. Now in its 18th edition, the annual tournament has been renamed to honor the late Phinma Corp. chair emeritus Oscar Hilado, who supported Philippine tennis until he passed away in September last year at the age of 85.

Organized jointly by Phinma Corp., Phinma Foundation, Inc., and the Philippine Tennis Academy, the tournament was inspired by Hilado's belief that tennis could uplift the lives of underprivileged but promising Filipinos. By earning ranking points, the event opens doors to more international competitions and improves players' chances of pursuing higher education and a professional career. This belief gave rise to a tournament that allows Filipino players from far-flung areas to compete against foreign opponents.

"This tournament, now named after our father Oscar J. Hilado, will continue his legacy of investing in our young, promising tennis players. We are honored to continue this commitment to the sport in the years to come," Phinma Corp. director Michael Hilado said in a news release Sunday.

Past champions of the tournament include Alexandra Eala, Francis Casey Alcantara, John Bryan Otico, Arthur Craig Pantino, Khim Iglupas, and Tennielle Madis. Aludo, who earned two bronze medals at the 33rd SEAG in Thailand last year, is in the girls' main draw along with Jana Jelena Nicole Diaz. Playing in the qualifying round are Louraine Jallorina, Erynne Francesca Ong, Ayl Xyza Gonzaga, Mikaela Rose Ngu, and Katlyn Ann Bugna.

In the boys' division, won by South Korea's Sehyuk Cho last year, John Kendrick Bona is the lone local in the main draw. Competing in the qualifying rounds are Loucas Sebastian Go, Kenzo Marcus Brodeth, Miguel Ricardo Lagac III, and Gavin Kraut.