Cervantes, Abad lead JPGT Finals chase

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite — The race for Elite Junior Finals berths tightened Wednesday as Jaicee Cervantes and Asher Abad took charge of their divisions in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Junior PGT Championship at the Aoki course.

With Finals slots still available in nearly every age group, the penultimate round produced shifting leads, pressure-packed recoveries and several qualification scenarios heading into the final round.

Cervantes moved to the top of the girls’ 7-10 division after firing a 76.

Jehanne Mendoza stayed within striking distance with a 77, while Tyly Bernardino carded an 81 for third place.

Cervantes, fresh from a victory at Beverly Place, birdied two of her first three holes before surviving a difficult stretch to take a one-shot lead.

Mendoza recovered from an early triple bogey to remain firmly in contention.

Cervantes and Mendoza entered the tournament ranked third and fourth, respectively, in the Luzon standings.

They are trying to join already-qualified Winter Serapio and Andrea Dee in the North squad.

Another victory by Cervantes and a runner-up finish by Mendoza could effectively secure the remaining Finals berths in the division.

Cecilia Mamauag and Laura Pablo face a tougher path after opening with 90 and 91, respectively, at the challenging par-72 layout.

“I need to work on my short game tomorrow,” said Cervantes, 9, of Assumption College, who moved closer to completing back-to-back victories.

After a strong start, Cervantes struggled to read the greens.

She yielded seven bogeys against just one more birdie to finish with a 40-36.

The boys’ 7-10 division remained wide open as Abad and Drake Matias shared the lead with matching 74s.

Mateo dela Cruz and Kenzo Tan both shot 77, while Kingston Ching struggled to an 80.

Abad, ranked fifth in the standings, needs a victory and favorable results from rivals to earn a Finals berth.

He opened strongly with four birdies in his first nine holes but closed with a two-over card after two bogeys and two double bogeys.

“My game plan is to just maintain my scoring, block out what the other players are doing, and play my own game,” said Abad.

In the boys’ 11-14 division, Javie Bautista leaned on steady putting to shoot a 71 and take a one-shot lead.

Chan Ahn kept pace with a 72, while Jacob Casuga, who needs a strong finish to boost his qualification chances, posted a 76 for third.

Jose Luis Espinosa and Ryuji Suzuki turned in rounds of 78 and 79, respectively.

Race Manhit’s Finals hopes suffered a setback after an 82, leaving him tied with Inigo Gallardo.

Bautista, currently second in the standings, said his putting created birdie chances and helped him save pars.

“My putting really helped me save pars and create birdie opportunities,” said Bautista, the John Hay leg winner, who is hoping to overcome the pressure, maintain his strong form, and stay focused heading into the final 18 holes.

“There’s pressure – not just on me, but on everyone in the field. The key is to stay calm, composed and focused,” he added.

Cailey Gonzales seized control of the girls’ 11-14 category with a 74, a round highlighted by five birdies.

Aerin Chan carded a 76, while Maurysse Abalos and Quincy Pilac matched 78s.

Georgina Handog shot a 79, followed by Shantelle Laurel with an 80 and Ronee Dungca with an 81.

Gonzales said she was pleased with her performance but stressed the need to stay mentally composed.

Handog has already secured her Finals berth with 40 points.

Gonzales strengthened her hold on second place in the standings.

The chase for the remaining slots remains competitive, with absent contender Mavis Espedido still in third place with 33 points.

Chan, Dungca, Tyra Garingalao and Pilac remain mathematically alive entering the final round.

“I made a lot of birdies today,” said Gonzales, who carded five birdies, including a near-ace on the par-3 15th where her tee shot landed just a foot from the cup. “I’m pleased with how I played, but I still need to focus more on the mental side of my game because it’s important to focus on your emotions and not let it take over your game.”

In the premier girls’ 15-18 division, Kendra Garingalao grabbed the lead despite an 80.

Rafa Anciano stood one stroke behind after an 81.

Levonne Talion stayed in contention with an 82, while Chloe Rada posted an 85.

The Finals race in the division remains tight.

Talion entered the week ranked fifth with 32 points, while Garingalao and Anciano carried 37 and 35 points, respectively.

The final 36 holes will decide who joins already-qualified twins Lisa and Mona Sarines in the Finals at Pueblo de Oro this August.

In the boys’ 15-18 division, Harry Sales and Aenzo Sulaik surged to the top with matching 74s.

Jakob Taruc secured third place with a 75, while Stefano Tami and Lujo Gomez followed with 77 and 78, respectively.

Although the leaders are no longer in the qualification race, attention remains on Taruc.

Taruc entered the week fifth in the standings with 16 points.

He is widely expected to secure the final berth with at least a fourth-place finish, especially since fourth-ranked Charles Serdenia is ineligible after competing in only two tournaments.

The Eagle Ridge leg now heads to a decisive finish, with players across multiple divisions chasing not only titles but also precious places in the Elite Junior Finals.