PH girls' team finishes 4th in world pre-qualifying tilt

MANILA, February 25 ------ The Philippines' 14 and Under Girls' Tennis Team delivered an impressive performance, finishing fourth in the World Junior Tennis Competition pre-qualifying event held in Bahrain from February 17 to 22, 2025. The national squad, composed of Ayl Xyza Gonzaga, Ella Mhae Paglalunan, and Maristella Torrecampo, was led by coach Czarina Arevalo.

The team dominated the group stage, securing victories against Syria (3-0) and Kyrgyzstan (2-1), which propelled them into the knockout quarterfinals. Their momentum continued as they triumphed over Turkmenistan (2-1) in the quarterfinals. However, the semifinals proved to be a tough challenge as they fell to Sri Lanka.

In the playoff match for third place, the team was also bested by Lebanon, resulting in a commendable fourth-place finish out of 18 participating countries. "I am incredibly proud of how our girls performed at the World Juniors 14U Pre-Qualifying. They showed remarkable fighting spirit, heart, and grit on court, which is just as important as winning. Although we didn't get the results we hoped for, this tournament was an invaluable learning experience for them. They've gained valuable insights into what they need to work on to elevate their game to the international level. I have no doubt they'll come back stronger and more determined than ever," Arevalo said.

The young Filipina athletes showcased tremendous potential, particularly 11-year-old Maristella Torrecampo, whose standout performance demonstrated the promising future of Philippine tennis on the global stage.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com