BACOLOD – With coveted tickets to the Elite Junior PGT Finals on the line, Ana Marie Aguilar and Stephen Clementer braved grueling, windless conditions to launch a gripping charge at the ICTSI Bacolod JPGT Championship on Thursday.
Under a heavy, overcast sky at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club course, Aguilar carded a steady even-par 70 under prefered lies to dominate the girls’ 7-10 division with a 36-hole total of 144, cruising to a six-stroke victory over Soleil Molde.
North vs South Elite Finals
The win breathed new life into Aguilar’s postseason aspirations. Entering the week at joint ninth in the rankings with just 10 points, her triumph fueled a dramatic backdoor bid for the North vs. South Elite Finals this August at Pueblo de Oro.
While her total rose to 25 points – moving her up to fifth – she remained just outside the crucial Top 4 cut-off. Fortunately for Aguilar, the final leg of the six-stop series starts Monday (June 8) at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, her home course.
Molde carded a 77 to finish second at 150, a result that propelled her to the top of the division standings with 42 points. Akeisha Yocte finished third (76-152) to sit third in the rankings with 33 points, while Vanya Go’s final-round 72 placed her fourth at 154, slipping her to second overall in the Visayas-Mindanao Series standings (39 points).
Zoey Mascariñas struggled with an 80 to finish fifth at 157, holding onto the final qualification spot with 28 points.
In the boys’ 7-10 division, Stephen Clementer completed a wire-to-wire triumph. The Cagayan de Oro standout gutted out a final-round 72 for a 152 total, burying runner-up Thomas Ngo (93-176) by a massive 24 strokes. Ashton Araw-araw placed third at 183 after a 90.
Clementer’s second consecutive victory – following a playoff win over finalist Ethan Lago at Pueblo de Oro – officially punched his ticket to the grand finals. He now sits comfortably in second in the standings with 40 points, just behind Lago’s maximum 45.
Despite his absence, Lucas Revilleza virtually secured the third spot with 36 points. Meanwhile, Ngo’s runner-up finish boosted him to 26 points, leapfrogging absent Darren Ong (20) for the fourth spot, while Araw-araw stayed in the hunt with 22 points.
The 11-14 divisions featured equally commanding performances. In the boys' class, Mico Woo ignited his championship run on the par-4 No. 14, thrilling the gallery with a pitch-in eagle. His 76 gave him a 158 total and a six-shot romp over Jordino Mesina (76-164). Isaac Locsin faltered with an 84 to finish third at 173.
The victory was crucial for Woo, who improved from fifth to fourth in the rankings with 35 points, dislodging Laurence Saban (29). With Jared Saban leading the pack at 39 points, and Ken Guillermo and Ralph Batican locked at 37, the upcoming final stop at Marapara will be a do-or-die showdown for the division's last championship berths.
In the girls’ 11-14 side, Rafella Batican finally tasted breakthrough victory after enduring back-to-back runner-up finishes at Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro. She fired a brilliant 71 to finish with a 143 total, securing her grand finals ticket and finishing four strokes clear of Zuri Bagaloyos (73-147). Eliana Dumalaog placed third at 154 after a second 77.
With Brittany Tamayo already safely through to the finals with 40 points, Batican locked up the second berth with 39 points. Bagaloyos rose to third with 36 points on the strength of three runner-up finishes, pushing absent two-time winner Marqaela Dy down to fourth (30 points). Should Dy skip the final leg, a fierce battle for the final seat looms, with Kimberly Barroquillo (28 points) and Dumalaog (26 points) poised to strike.
Fernando III closer to breakthrough
In the premier 15-18 division, Mhark Fernando III moved on the cusp of a breakthrough JPGT victory, bucking a late mistake to save a 75, padding his lead over Eddie Gonzales, Jr. to three with a 147.
Gutierrez posted a 76 for a 150, while Ritchie Go also turned in a 75 for third at 154.
In the girls’ side, Tashanah Balangauan took a commanding step toward capturing her third leg victory as she played remarkably balanced golf, countering five bogeys with four birdies for a 71 and a 148 and pulling away from fellow Cebuana Lois Laine Go, who shot a 76 for a 155.
Cagayan de Oro’s Mikela Guillermo also improved to a 77 after an 83 but remained too far behind at 160 with 18 holes left to play.
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