TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite – Mavis Espedido launched her bid for a second straight title in impressive fashion, firing a 76 to seize a three-stroke lead over Venus Delos Santos in the girls’ 7-10 division at the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday.
The nine-year-old standout from Anvaya Cove opened the 36-hole event much like she did at Eagle Ridge two weeks ago, where she won by 14 shots in a wire-to-wire victory in the first leg of the seven-stage Luzon series of the nationwide junior tour.
Despite her lead, Espedido wasn’t fully satisfied with her round of 37-39 under intense heat.
READ Lisa Sarines, Suzuki emerge triumphant at Eagle Ridge
“My game was kind of bad. I kept getting bogeys and even had a double bogey,” she said, although her three birdies helped cushion the mistakes.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’ll try to bounce back and go for back-to-back wins so I can gain more points,” she added, vowing to stay focused and reduce errors in the final round of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Delos Santos also tallied three birdies but was undone by two bogeys, two double bogeys, and a quadruple bogey for a 79. Athena Serapio carded an 88 to fall 12 shots behind, while Penelope Sy, Tyra Garingalao and Amiya Tablac posted 90, 93 and 100, respectively.
In the boys’ 7-10 category, Zoji Edoc took a massive step toward redemption after narrowly missing out at Eagle Ridge. He shot an 81 to establish a commanding 17-stroke lead over Halo Pangilinan (98), with Michael Ray Hortel II (100) and Alexian Ching (102) trailing further behind.
Edoc’s highlight was a scrambling par on the seventh hole, where he chipped to tap-in range.
“Playing on this course isn’t bad, and I’ll try to break 81 tomorrow,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the 11-14 category, Vito Sarines birdied the last hole to save a 76 and edge ahead of Eagle Ridge leg winner Ryuji Suzuki by one stroke. Suzuki staged a late rally with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to finish at 77, setting up a high-stakes final round.
Sarines, who tied for third in the previous leg, briefly lost his lead after bogeying the 17th but regained composure to birdie the 18th.
Sarines vs Sarines
The girls’ 11-14 division turned into a thrilling sibling showdown, as twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines carded identical 77s in a dramatic late-afternoon finish, pulling eight strokes clear of their nearest challenger, Keira Que.
Lisa, who routed Mona by 13 strokes at Eagle Ridge, faltered late with three closing bogeys, spoiling an impressive three-birdie blitz over a four-hole stretch from No. 12 and missing a chance to take the solo lead.
Mona, meanwhile, took control with a frontside 39 and managed to salvage a share of the lead despite bogeys on Nos. 11 and 16, steadying herself through the final two holes.
Que, who also struggled down the stretch, settled for an 85, while Kendra Garingalao and Althea Bañez shot 87 and 89, respectively.
Focus also shifted to the premier 15-18 category, where Patrick Tambalque capitalized on Zach Villaroman’s shaky finish to forge a tie for the boys’ lead on 76s.
Jose Carlos Taruc remained in close pursuit, just one shot back at 77, while John Paul Agustin, Jr. stayed in the hunt with a 79, and Rafael Leonio posted an 81, keeping the title race wide open heading into the final two rounds of the 54-hole tournament sponsored by ICTSI.
In the girls’ 15-18 division, Angelica Bañez emerged on top after a turbulent round, posting a 95 despite bogeys on the final three holes. Her score was enough to take the lead as Levonne Talion struggled with a 96 marred by last two bogeys.
Rafa Anciano, who led most of the way, unraveled with a triple-bogey and double-bogey finish to third spot at 97.
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