UTP TENNIS PLAYERS WIN MULTIPLE TITLES IN MALAYSIA

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) team wrapped up the 40th Penang Open International Championship 2025 on a triumphant note.

The young Filipino netters delivered sterling performances across multiple divisions, securing two singles titles in the girls 14-under and boys 18-under categories. 

The momentum continued in the doubles events where the delegation captured championships in six divisions, namely boys 12-, 16- and 18-under and girls 14-, 16- and 18-under categories.

This year’s tournament is one of the region’s most competitive junior tennis events as it featured 332 entries from 15 countries, offering the UTP team invaluable international exposure and high-level match experience. 

“Our athletes continue to prove that Filipino youth can excel on the international stage when given proper support and opportunity. We are proud of their discipline, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout the competition,” said UTP president Jean Henri Lhuillier. 

“Cebuana Lhuillier remains committed to uplifting grassroots tennis and empowering the next generation of champions,” added Lhuillier, who is also president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. 

Following their strong finish in Penang, the UTP National Team now heads to Perlis, Malaysia for the second leg of the tournament as they aim to carry their momentum forward. 

The UTP team is supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Unilab, Alternatives Food Corp, PhilCare, STI, Navegar and Dunlop—partners who continue to champion the growth of Philippine youth tennis. 

The list of Filipino finalists and champions:

10-under girls doubles finalists: Eilythia Comia and Natalie Ang Tze Yin (Malaysia) 

12-under boys doubles champion: Pete Niere and Sherwin Gom-os 

12-under girls doubles finalists: Shaner Gabaldon and Zara Firman (Malaysia) 

14-under girls singles finalist: Mitch Cruspero

14-under girls singles champion: Kathlyn Bugna 

14-under girls doubles champions: Kathlyn Bugna and Mitch Cruspero 

16-under boys doubles champions: Matt Morris and Marwin Plata 

16-under girls doubles champions: Cadee Dagoon and Haan Park (Korea)

18-under girls doubles champions: Cielo Gonzales and AJ Acabo 

18-under boys singles finalist: Ariel Cabaral 

18-under boys singles champion: Juvels Velos 

18-under boys doubles champions: Ariel Cabaral and Juvels Velos 

Other notable performances: 

10-under semifinalist: Enzo Niere 

10-under quarterfinalist: Ryan Orquina 

10-under semifinalist: Eilythia Comia 

12-under quarterfinalist: Sherwin Gom-os

12-under quarterfinalist: Shaner Gabaldon

14-under quarterfinalist: EJ Niere

14-under quarterfinalist: Claudwin Toñacao

16-under quarterfinalist: Marwin Plata

16-under semifinalist: Matthew Morris

16-under semifinalist: Cadee Dagoon

18-under semifinalist: Cielo Gonzales

2025-12-02T12:59:41Z