LIPA City, Batangas – Zach Guico and Andrea Lee delivered commanding performances in the youngest division, highlighting a string of dominant victories in the ICTSI Summit Point Junior PGT Championship on Wednesday.
Guico stamped his class in his season debut, overcoming a closing 81 to secure a convincing five-shot victory in the boys’ 7-10 division with a 151 total in the 36-hole tournament. The rising star from Quezon City built a solid cushion with a two-under 70 in the opening round, allowing him to play the final 18 holes without pressure.
Edoc chase falls short
Despite a spirited challenge from Zoji Edoc, who fired an eagle-aided frontside 37 to briefly threaten, Guico stayed composed and coasted to victory as Edoc faltered in the closing stretch under hot, windy conditions. He finished with an 80 for a 156, while Asher Abad placed third for the second straight leg with a 163 after a 78.
Lee, also from QC, matched Guico’s dominance in the girls’ side, cruising to a similar five-shot triumph with a 160 after an 83. She thwarted the charge of Mount Malarayat leg winner Winter Serapio, who settled for second at 165 after an 82, while Jehanne Mendoza carded a second 84 for third at 168.
With Guico and Edoc – last year’s Luzon series standouts – skipping the Mount Malarayat opener, their strong return here signals another intense rivalry heading into the next leg set April 28-30 at John Hay in Baguio.
While the youngest divisions produced clear-cut winners, the older categories also hinted at decisive finishes.
In the girls’ 11-14 class, Cailey Gonzales from Las Piñas surged past Mavis Espedido with a late-round charge, stringing together three birdies after an opening bogey to fire a 72 and win by four at 150. Espedido settled for a 154 after a second 77, while Tyra Garingalao finished a distant third at 171 after an 84.
Rafael Leonio likewise turned the boys’ 15-18 category into a showcase of control, pulling away with a 73 for a 149 and building a commanding six-stroke margin heading to the final round of the 54-hole tournament. Taeyang Yun dropped back to 155 after a 77, while Bien Fajardo trailed further at 162 after an 80.
In the girls’ premier division, Kendra Garingalao maintained a comfortable lead despite an 81, finishing at 160 as Rafa Anciano pooled a 165 after a 79 to move to second, underscoring another division that tilted toward a decisive outcome.
Alexie Gabi also carded a 79 to tie Chloe Rada, who faltered with an 84, at 166, while Levonne Talion limped with an 86 for a 169.
In JPGT Visayas-Mindanao Series, Tashanah Balangauan outlasted Dominique Gotiong in a gripping day-long duel of skill and composure, sealing a one-stroke victory in the premier 15-18 division of the ICTSI Alta Vista Junior PGT Championship in Cebu City.
Balangauan leaned on a crucial birdie on the par-5 16th to offset the impact of a bogey on the next hole, finishing with a 73 for a 54-hole total of 223 and holding off Gotiong, who carded a 72 for a 224.
The victory marked Balangauan’s second straight title in the regional series, following her dominant 20-stroke triumph over Gotiong in Mactan last week. This time, however, Gotiong came in determined to turn the tables, pushing Balangauan to the limit before ultimately falling just short.
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