BUKIDNON – Cliff Nuñeza rode a solid frontnine then survived a two-shot swing by John Rey Oro on the final hole to capture the boys’ 16-18 category title by two strokes in the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 3 at Del Monte Golf Club on Friday.
Nuñeza started strong to extend his overnight two-stroke lead. Despite struggling in a challenging back nine, he held off a determined Oro with a clutch birdie on No. 16, finishing with a round of 73 and a four-day total of 299.
"I started well. I almost hit all the greens at the front side, which boosted my confidence going into the back nine," said Nuñeza, who clinched victory after finishing runner-up in his JPGT debut at Pueblo de Oro last year.
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Despite matching Nuñeza's final-round 73, Oro's cumulative score of 301 placed him second, while Patrick Tambalque finished third with a total of 304 after a final-round 74.
In the girls' 16-18 category, Cagayan de Oro's Ally Gaccion claimed the title decisively, finishing with a 76 for a 289 total, outpacing Crista Miñoza by 30 strokes. Miñoza concluded the tournament with a 319 after a four-over final round.
"I played bad but I had fun on the course," said Gaccion, 17, from Wellspring Christian School. "I was a bit relaxed, but overall, I was satisfied with my performance for the week."
As the Mindanao Series wraps up at Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro starting Monday (Aug. 12), the race for top honors and ranking points for the upcoming Match Play Championship at The Country Club in October intensifies.
Both Nuñeza and Gaccion will be seeking consecutive victories in a course they know well.
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