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The Philippine 14 & Under Junior Boys' Tennis Team. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

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PH Boys’ tennis team defeats Iraq, advances in World Junior Tennis Competition

Dyan Castillejo

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17407999865421740585559552022625_tennis.webp" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Philippine 14 &amp; Under Junior Boys&#x27; Tennis Team. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News "/>The Philippine 14 &amp; Under Junior Boys&#x27; Tennis Team. Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News MANILA -- The Philippine Boys’ Tennis Team continued their impressive run at the World Junior Tennis Competition, securing a 2-0 victory against Iraq in the Main Draw Positional Play-Off. </div>This win follows back-to-back triumphs over Malaysia (2-1) and the Maldives (3-0), demonstrating the team’s growing strength on the international stage. Mikael Andreas Honrado set the tone for the match with a strong performance against Iraq’s Ahmed Altaleb, winning 6-3, 6-4. Head coach John Rey Moreno praised Honrado’s disciplined approach. “Kael started with a good mindset, playing aggressively without immediately aiming for winners,” he explained. “He was patient in building patterns, while his opponent kept hitting harder and harder until he lost control,” Moreno added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2025/2/26/ph-junior-boys-tennis-team-beats-malaysia-in-thriller-2359">PH junior boys&#x27; tennis team beats Malaysia in thriller</a> </div>Honrado utilized his powerful forehand and smart court positioning, capitalizing on his first serve to stay in command. As he neared match point, Coach Moreno gave him a crucial piece of advice: “go all in.” “I asked Kael to shout, grunt, and give everything on his first serve—and it resulted in an ace,” Moreno said. The second singles match was a thrilling battle, with Anthony Bjorn Castigador overcoming a tough challenge from Iraq’s Hasan Ghrairi, winning 6-4, 4-6, 10-6. Castigador found himself in trouble early, trailing 0-4 within the first 15 minutes as his opponent dictated the pace. However, he made key adjustments, varying his shot height and speed to break Ghrairi’s rhythm. “When Ting realized the score was tied, he gained momentum and took risks, hitting the corners,” Moreno said.

The Philippine Boys’ Tennis Team continued their impressive run at the World Junior Tennis Competition, securing a 2-0 victory against Iraq in the Main Draw Positional Play-Off.

The Philippine Boys’ Tennis Team continued their impressive run at the World Junior Tennis Competition, securing a 2-0 victory against Iraq in the Main Draw Positional Play-Off.