SANTA ROSA, Laguna – Despite an early stumble and late struggles on a rainy and windy Thursday at The Country Club, Ralph Batican carded a 78 to extend his overnight three-stroke lead to 10 after 36 holes in the boys’ 13-14 division of the Uswing Mojing Junior World Qualifying.
In contrast, the girls’ 13-14 category took an unpredictable turn as Lisa Sarines staged a late surge, trimming Johanna Uyking’s lead to just one stroke heading to the final round. A dramatic two-shot swing on the closing hole (No. 18) allowed Sarines to fire a 73, closing the gap at 153 against Uyking’s 152 after a 75.
While four Junior World slots are at stake in each age category, only division winners will receive free airfare to the prestigious San Diego event in July. With the leaderboard tightening in two divisions, the final round promises high-stakes battles for coveted berths in the international stage.
World ranking points up for grabs
The top 10 players in each category advanced to the last round, which not only awards World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points but also serves as a crucial prelude to the upcoming Junior Philippine Golf Tour season at Eagle Ridge next month.
The girls' 15-18 division also set the stage for an intense final round as Reese Ng’s 76 brought her level with Alessandra Luciano, who struggled with an 81, both totaling 160.
Ally Gaccion battled through an 80 but remained in contention in third place with a score of 163. Meanwhile, Anya Cedo and Lia Duque staged impressive comebacks with rounds of 78 and 77, positioning themselves at 164 and 166, respectively.
Tashanah Balanguan, who briefly led midway through the round, faltered at the finish, making two bogeys, a triple bogey, and a double bogey. She carded an 86, dropping to sixth place with a total of 167.
Crista Miñoza posted an 88 to take seventh at 180, followed closely by Lois Lane Go (84-181), Montserrat Lapuz (92-181), and Angelica Bañez (96-182).
The battle for the boys’ 13-14 and 15-18 titles in the three-day qualifiers, backed by the National Golf Association, the MVP Sports Foundation, The Country Club, ICTSI, PLDT, and the JPGT, is shaping up to be a potential runaway in both divisions. Batican pulled away in the younger category, while Tristan Padilla surged ahead in the older division with a resilient 73, establishing a commanding five-shot lead over Hernandez.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
