LAUREL, Batangas – The race for supremacy in the 11-14 division of the ICTSI Splendido Taal Junior PGT Championship turned into a thrilling showdown as Ryuji Suzuki carded a 77 to take a one-shot lead over Vito Sarines.
Suzuki, who dominated at Eagle Ridge where Sarines finished tied for third, seemed on track to build a commanding lead in the 36-hole tournament after shooting two birdies against two bogeys with three holes left coming in.
However, bogeys on the seventh and ninth holes forced him to settle for a 37-40 round, keeping Sarines – who beat Suzuki by five shots at Sherwood Hills – well within striking distance after posting a 78, highlighted by two birdies on the back nine.
Jacob Casuga, who stayed close to the frontrunners early on, faltered with a frontside 42 for an 84, dropping seven shots behind Suzuki. Matthias Espina and Ryuichi Tao turned in matching 86s, and Robert Coyiuto scored a 92.
Suzuki lamented his struggles on the greens, citing costly errors.
“I could’ve played better if not for two four-putts,” said Suzuki. “Anything can happen here, but I hope to hit a lot of fairways tomorrow (Tuesday). Because if you don’t, most likely you’ll end up with a bogey.”
Sarines vs Sarines
The battle for the girls’ titlein the same age group also came down to a shootout, as twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines turned in identical 78s with matching 38-40 nines to lead Alexie Gabi by five strokes.
Lisa, who swept the first two legs at Eagle Ridge and Sherwood Hills, had to birdie the final hole (No. 9) to catch Mona, who is determined to end her sister’s early domination of the seven-stage series that stakes ranking points for spots in the North vs South finals.
In separate flights, Mavis Espedido edged out Winter Serapio in a spirited duel under tough conditions, carding a frontside 41 for an 80 to seize a one-stroke lead in the girls’ 7-10 division.
The Anvaya Cove standout moved a step closer to a third straight victory in the Luzon series of the nationwide circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. but is bracing for a shootout with Serapio in Tuesday’s final round of the 36-hole tournament.
Zoji Edoc surged ahead in the boys’ youngest age group, steadying himself with a scrambling frontside finish to topple Michael Ray Hortel II with a gutsy 85 and seize a commanding four-stroke lead.
In the premier category (15-18), Zach Villaroman fired a gutsy 72 to seize a three-stroke lead over Shinichi Suzuki, setting his sights on a title breakthrough in the 54-hole tournament following back-to-back third-place finishes at Eagle Ridge and Sherwood Hills.
Villaroman broke a birdie-bogey run on the back nine with two birdies in the first three holes of the front nine to take solo control. Despite bogeys on Nos. 4 and 5, he stayed firmly atop the leaderboard as Suzuki, the Eagle Ridge winner, struggled to match Villaroman’s backside 36, settling for a 39 to finish with a 75.
Suzuki ended the day tied for second with Jose Carlos Taruc, who also squandered a solid backside 36 with a 39.
Geoffrey Tan turned in an 81 for fourth place, while Rafael Mañalol posted an 83. Miguel Espartero, Bien Fajardo, and Dean See all carded matching 84s.
In the girls’ 15-18 division, Rafa Anciano fueled her bid for a second straight victory after avenging her previous loss to Eagle Ridge tormentor Levonne Talion at Sherwood Hills last week. She soared to a commanding 17-stroke lead over Angelica Bañez despite a struggling 83.
Despite five bogeys and three double bogeys leading to an 11-over round, Anciano still managed to establish a huge advantage in the 54-hole tournament, as Bañez struggled even more in the harsh conditions, carding an error-strewn 100.
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