Stephen Fuertes, Stefi Aludo rule President’s Cup Masters tennis

Stefi Marithe Aludo and Anthony Bjorn Castigador received the Most Valuable Player award from Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships coach John Mari Altiche and Philippine Tennis Association Executive Director Tonette Mendoza. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Stephen Fuertes and Stefi Marithe Aludo ruled their respective divisions in the 18 and under category to lead the winners of the President’s Cup Masters 8 at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on Friday.

Fuertes, winner of 10 titles last year, downed France Vhiele Dilao of Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, 6-2, 6-3, in the boys division of the event held in honor of Philippine Tennis Association president Eric Olivarez.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I always give my best in every match, I’m happy to win again,” the Grade 11 student at Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Davao del Sur said. He bagged the U16 title at the 2023 PCA Open Juniors.

Aludo, a member of the Philippine Tennis Academy coached by former Davis Cupper Bobbie Angelo, whipped Dhea Angela Cua, 6-0, 6-0, to claim her 10th consecutive U18 title.

Other winners in the boy’s division were Anthony Bjorn Castigador of Iloilo City over Julius Otoc of Pigcawayan, Cotabato, 6-4, 6-4 (U14); and Francisco De Juan III of Iloilo City over Jan Caleb Villeno of San Pablo City, Laguna, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 (U12).

Article continues after this advertisement

Everett Enzo Niere of Bogo City, Cebu prevailed over Boss JM Ente of Maramag, Bukidnon, 5-3, 4-0, to capture the unisex 10 and under title.

Jayden Reece Ballado of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija outplayed Khalilah Kate Imalay of Danao City, Cebu, 7-5, 6-2 (U16); Maristella Torrecampo of Naga City, Camarines Sur downed Michellen Alexa Cruspero of Tayasan, Negros Oriental, 6-0, 6-1, (U14) and Etha Nadine Seno of Bogo City, Cebu rallied past Shaner Gabaldon of Roxas, Isabela, 6-2, 6-7 (1), 6-4 (U12) in the other girls final results.

In the doubles category, the champions were Fuertes and Dilao (U18), Pete Rafael Bandala and Kraut (U16), Castigador and Jairo Flores (U14), Jairus Peralta and Gabriel Vitaliano (U12), Niera and Rafael Cablitas (U10), Aludo and Sofia Moreno (U18), Imalay and Cielo May Gonzales (U16), Arriana Maglana and Cyrel Mae Sanchez (U14), and Francine Wong and Leanne Barrido (U12).

Meanwhile, Aludo and Castigador were named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, which kicked off the 2025 season of the Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships (PPS-NTC).

Present during the awarding ceremony were PPS-NTC coach John Mari Altiche and Philta Executive Director Tonette Mendoza, who handed out the trophies to the champions, who also earned 120 Philta ranking points.