MANILA — Local standout Jana Jelena Nicole Diaz stormed through her first two matches at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center on July 22, 2026, powering past her opponents to remain undefeated in Group A of the 1st Leg of the Oscar J. Hilado J60 World Tennis Championship. The ITF junior tournament, played in memory of the late PHINMA Corp. Chairman Emeritus, features a round‑robin format where only one player from each group advances.
A Statement Start for Diaz
Diaz needed little time to assert her dominance, dismantling fellow Filipina Kathlyn Ann Bugna 6‑0, 6‑1 in her opening assignment. Her aggressive baseline game and sharp angles gave her opponent no room to settle. The performance set the tone for her campaign and sent a clear signal to the rest of Group A.
Hours later, she returned to the court and delivered an equally commanding result, dispatching Zacci Elyce Yuipco 6‑3, 6‑0. The consecutive victories vaulted Diaz into a tie atop the group standings. With confidence building and her groundstrokes finding their mark, she now faces the tournament’s toughest test.
A Clash of Unbeatens Awaits
Standing between Diaz and a quarterfinal berth is South Korea’s Yerin Lee, the World No. 394 junior player who has been nothing short of perfect. Lee advanced through her first two matches without dropping a single game, winning both by identical 6‑0, 6‑0 scorelines. The Korean’s relentless consistency makes her the group favorite.
The upcoming showdown between Diaz and Lee will determine the sole qualifier from Group A. The ITF J60 format allows only one player per group to progress to the single‑elimination quarterfinals, adding immense weight to every point. For Diaz, the match represents both a formidable challenge and a golden opportunity to measure herself against international competition.
Filipino Contingent Delivers Across Divisions
Across the tournament, Filipino juniors made their presence felt. Stefi Marithe Aludo opened her Group E campaign with a decisive 6‑0, 6‑1 victory over Mengxi Sun of China. Wild card Maristella Torrecampo mirrored the result in Group H, overwhelming Pin‑Tsen Chou of Chinese Taipei. Louraine Jallorina battled to a hard‑fought 4‑6, 7‑5, 10‑5 tie‑breaker win over Sofia Bartolata of the United States.
On the boys’ side, John Kendrick Bona rebounded from an earlier loss with a 6‑4, 7‑5 victory over Yo‑Chi Chen of Chinese Taipei. Qualifier Stephen Yu Fuertes and wild card Miguel Ricaro Lagac III both secured wins in their respective groups, while Kenzo Marcus Brodeth dominated Group H. The collective performance of the Philippine contingent underscored the depth of local junior talent.
A Tournament Honoring a Patron
The Oscar J. Hilado J60 World Tennis Championship pays tribute to the late PHINMA Corp. Chairman Emeritus, whose lifelong dedication to Philippine tennis helped develop generations of players. The ITF J60 circuit provides crucial junior ranking points and international exposure for young athletes. For Diaz, Aludo, and their teammates, the tournament is a platform to launch careers and carry forward the legacy of a man who believed deeply in Filipino talent.
