CAGAYAN DE ORO — Team North raced to a commanding lead, only to find itself fighting for every point down the stretch before escaping with a crucial 7-5 victory over South in Foursomes in Day 2 of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior PGT Championship at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
North surged to an imposing 8-4 lead midway through the alternate-shot format, with its depth once again on full display. But South launched a spirited comeback that chipped away at the deficit and turned what had appeared to be a one-sided affair into a gripping finish.
READ Team North dominates opening four-balls
With momentum firmly on their side, South pulled within striking distance at 4-6 and needed only to win the final two matches to salvage a dramatic overall draw for the day. North, however, held its nerve when the pressure peaked.
Jakob Taruc and Nathan Belandres battled from three holes down in the stretch and forced Clement Ordeneza and Sebastian Sajuela to an all-square finish, while Mona Sarines and Kendra Garingalao likewise halved their match against Tashanah Balanguan and Precious Zaragosa, with both matches ending level in the 15-18 division.
Those two halves proved decisive.
Instead of completing the comeback, South was forced to settle for a split of the day’s final two points, leaving North with a 7-5 advantage in the foursomes and a five-point edge, 14 1/2 to 9 1/2, heading into the singles matches on Thursday.
Like in Day One, North won four of the first five matches, including a sweep of the boys’ 11-14 division. But South showed its resilience in the boys’ 7-10 class, where Stephen Clementer and Ethan Lago produced a dramatic late comeback to edge Zach Guico and Kingston Ching, 1-up, on No. 18.
Zoji Edoc and Kenzo Tan answered for North in the other boys’ 7-10 match, repulsing Lucas Revilleza and Darren Ong, 3&1, while Javie Bautista and Jacob Casuga atoned for their Four-ball setback with a 5&4 rout of Jared Saban and Ken Guillermo; and Chan Ahn and Vito Sarines routed Ralph Batican and Mico Woo, 6&4, in boys’ 11-14.
North likewise continued to flex its strength in the girls’ divisions. Jaicee Cervantes and Andrea Dee made it two straight wins with a 2&1 decision over Vanya Go and Soleil Molde.
South, however, responded with another clutch performance as Akeisha Yocte and Blake Aguilar pulled ahead late to stun Winter Serapio and Jehanne Mendoza, 2&1, in a finish that drew another round of applause from the gallery.
The visitors also strengthened their advantage in boys’ 15-18, where Shin Suzuki and Santi Asuncion remained perfect as a partnership after a 4&3 romp over Alexis Nailga and Roman Tiongko. Cailey Gonzales and Georgina Handog added another North point in girls’ 11-14, edging Brittany Tamayo and Rafella Batican, 1-up, in another thriller.
At that stage, North appeared firmly in control.
But South saved its best for the stretch run, winning crucial matches until North fought with draws in the premier division.
Zuri Bacaloyos and Marqaela Dy hacked out a hard-fought 2-up victory over Mavis Espedido and Quincy Pilac in girls’ 11-14, preserving their perfect 2-0 record in the series, while Apple Gotiong and Lois Lane Go capped the South rally with a convincing 5&3 triumph over Lisa Sarines and Rafa Anciano, bouncing back from their Four-ball loss.
Singles pairings:
North – South
Zach Guico vs Darren Ong
Kenzo Tan vs Lucas Revilleza
Zoji Edoc vs Ethan Lago
Kingston Ching vs Stephen Clementer
Chan Ahn vs Jared Saban
Jacob Casuga vs Mico Woo
Javie Bautista vs Ken Guillermo
Vito Sarines vs Ralph Batican
Nathan Belandres vs Alexis Nailga
Jakob Taruc vs Clement Ordeneza
Santi Asuncion vs Sebastian Sajuela
Shin Suzuki vs Roman Tiongko
Winter Serapio vs Vanya Go
Jaicee Cervantes vs Blake Aguilar
Andrea Dee vs Soleil Molde
Jehanne Mendoza vs Akeisha Yocte
Quincy Pilac vs Brittany Tamayo
Mavis Espedido vs Marqaela Dy
Georgina Handog vs Rafella Batican
Cailey Gonzales vs Zuri Bagaloyos
Kendra Garingalao vs Tashanah Balangauan
Rafa Anciano vs Apple Gotiong
Mona Sarines vs Precious Zaragosa
Liza Sarines vs Lois Go
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