Dilao, Diaz shine in Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines — France Dilao and Jana Diaz pounded out victories in contrasting fashion in 16-and-under play as they shared the MVP honors in the Gov. A. R. Defensor Kasadyahan National Juniors tennis championships at the La Paz courts in Iloilo last Thursday.

The third-ranked Dilao upended top seed Al Tristan Licayan, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7, in the semis then foiled local bet Ian Ituriaga, 6-4, 7-6 (1), as the Sta. Rosa bet ended a long title spell in the Group 2 tournament of the Palawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala-sponsored nationwide circuit.

Diaz, on the other hand, dominated her side of the competition, nailing straight-set romps to the finals. But the Imus, Cavite lass needed to overcome unseeded Alexandra Onte’s fierce challenge before pulling through, 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-5. 

Licayan, meanwhile, redeemed himself in the premier division, repulsing No. 1 Ariel Cabaral, 6-2, 7-5, in a duel of Gen. Trias, Cavite bets, while top seed Chloe Mercado from Quezon City survived Jasmine Jaran, 2-6, 6-2, 10-6, to reign in the 18-and-under division of the event sanctioned by Philta and presented by Dunlop.