SILANG, Cavite – Aerin Chan shot a 73 to post a six-stroke lead over Quincy Pilac in the girls' 10-12 division of the ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series 4 at Riviera’s Couples course Tuesday.
An eagle and two birdies highlighted her front nine 34 that made up for a 39 coming home as she took a commanding lead and a step closer to a first title after two fifth-place finishes.
"I had a good game, had lots of fun, and played without pressure," said the 11-year-old daughter of PBA player Jeff Chan, one of the best three-point shooters of his generation.
Pilac fades
Pilac, one of the division winners in the inaugural Junior PGT last year, matched Chan's three-over start on the back nine but faltered with four bogeys and a double bogey against two birdies, finishing with a 79.
Georgina Handog and Maurysse Abalos, who topped the Pradera Verde and Splendido legs, respectively, struggled with 91 and 94, respectively, but remained hopeful for a big comeback in the last 18 holes.
Athena Serapio, meanwhile, made her mark with a 93 in her JPGT debut, taking a two-stroke lead over Tyra Garingalao, who shot a 95, with Andrea Dee and Penelope Sy posting 99 and 112, respectively, in the girls’ 8-9 division.
"It’s exciting and I like to play with other kids," said Serapio, from Immaculate Conception Academy in Greenhills.
In other results, Levonne Talion carded an 85 for a three-stroke lead over Kendra Garingalao, who shot an 88, in the girls’ 13-15 class. Gen. Santos City’s Alexie Gabi was another stroke back at 89 while Montserrat Lapuz scored a 91.
Talion, still seeking a breakthrough win in the series sponsored by ICTSI and supported by PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf, overcame shaky putting with steady driving and superb iron play to seize the upper hand.
"My putting messed it up. I hit good drives and hit regulation a number of times but made two three-putts and had one four-putt," said Talion, who competed in the Singapore Amateur Open last week. "I need to work on my putting in the next two days."
Pinewoods leg playoff winner Rafa Anciano launched her campaign for a second Luzon Series title with an 84 for a 12-stroke lead over Chloe Rada, who shot 96. Gabriela Sison scored a 98, and Casey Frankum carded a 99, while Necky Tortosa hobbled with a 116.
In the boys’ 16-18 division, Patrick Tambalque, who also competed in Singapore’s premier amateur championship, hit two birdies against three bogeys and a double bogey, finishing with a 75 to gain a two-shot lead over Benedict Kobayashi, who scored a 77.
Simon Wahing had an 85, tying for third with Rolly Duran. Harry Sales and Gabriel Slavin posted 86 and 88, respectively.
In the boys’ 13-15 division, Jose Carlos Taruc carded a 79 to grab a three-stroke lead over John Paul Agustin, Jr., who shot an 82. Andres Fabie and Santi Asuncion stayed in the hunt with 85 and 87, respectively.
Vito Sarines, winner of the Splendido and Pinewoods legs in the 10-12 category, zeroed in on a third leg title after delivering the day’s best round of two-under 70 on five birdies against a double bogey and a bogey, storming to a 10-shot lead over Jacob Casuga, who scored an 80. Nathaniel Yeung posted an 87, while Edgardo Aguirre and Lorenzo Juane matched 88s.
Kvan Alburo, on the other hand, showed no signs of slowing down, posting a 90 for an eight-stroke advantage over Michael Ray Hortel II, who made a 98, while Jesus Yambao scored a 99 in the youngest division.
"I want to be the champion here and I want to win the trophy," said Alburo, who has already secured a spot in the Philippine Match Play Championship at The Country Club in October but is competing this week in pursuit of another championship.
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