Batican clinches 21-shot victory in JPGT

BUKIDNON – Ralph Batican dominated the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 3 with an astonishing 21-shot victory in the boys’ 10-12 age category, displaying remarkable mastery over the Del Monte layout.

Batican, competing on familiar turf, delivered a flawless performance with a bogey-free seven-under 65 in the first round. He surpassed this achievement with an 11-under 61 in the second round, ending with an 18-under 126 total.

“This is my first time scoring this round,” said Batican, who highlighted his round with five consecutive birdies starting from hole No. 9. “It was good, and luckily I didn’t make a single bogey in two days.”

Batican’s performance was especially noteworthy considering the course’s challenges. His conservative approach paid off, avoiding aggressive pin attacks to prevent bogeys.

“I didn’t attack the pins, because if I did, I would get a bogey,” he explained. “I just played it safe the whole day.”

In the girls’ 10-12 class, Rafella Batican mirrored her brother’s success, winning with a one-under 143 total, six strokes ahead of Brittany Tamayo.

The 8-9 category saw James Benedict Rolida secure his third straight boys’ crown with a 36-hole total of 183, overcoming a two-stroke deficit to defeat Shaqeeq Tanog by six strokes. Francesca Geroy triumphed in the girls’ division, rallying from seven strokes down to win with a 198 total.

In the 54-hole 13-15 division, Alexis Nailga led the boys with a 146, while Isabella Tabanas took the girls’ category with a 148.

Iloilo leg winner John Rey Oro topped the boys’ 16-18 division with a 151, while Ally Gaccion pulled away in the girls’ 16-18 race with a 142 aggregate, 16 strokes ahead of Crista Miñoza.

The event, sponsored by ICTSI, highlighted outstanding performances and set the stage for the Match Play Championship at The Country Club in October.