Dungca rallies to win JPGT girls’ 7-10 title

LUBAO, Pampanga – Ronee Dungca proved her Riviera leg breakthrough was no fluke, rallying from four shots down and holding her nerve at the finish to edge Mavis Espedido by one stroke and claim the girls’ 7-10 crown in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship on Wednesday.

Showing poise and precision beyond her years, the nine-year-old from Angeles City birdied four of her first 10 holes at Pradera Verde’s Pinatubo course.

She added another birdie on No. 12 but stumbled with bogeys on Nos. 13 and 16 to card a 69 for a 143 total over 36 holes.

Espedido, who led by four after an opening 70, briefly regained the advantage with a birdie-eagle run from No. 16.

But a costly double bogey on the 18th gave her a 74 and a 144 total, handing Dungca the victory.

Dungca’s closing round followed a clutch opening 74, capped by back-to-back birdies that gave her momentum entering the final day of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

“I focused more on my short game, and it really paid off with a good score,” said Dungca, a student at OB Montessori in Angeles City.

Despite Espedido’s strong finish, Dungca said she felt no pressure.

“I just stayed relaxed, focused, and enjoyed the game,” she said, though she admitted frustration over two late bogeys caused by shaky chip shots and putting.

Espedido’s title bid faltered after bogeying the fifth and double-bogeying the par-5 sixth.

Though she birdied the 10th and mounted a late rally, her closing double bogey proved decisive.

Venus delos Santos finished third at 151 after a 76, followed by Penelope Sy, who birdied late to save an 80 and finish fourth at 164.

Tyra Garingalao also carded an 80 to place fifth at 167.

With one leg left in the seven-stage Luzon series — set at Camp John Hay in Baguio City next week — the battle for the final three spots in the Elite Junior Finals in the girls’ 7-10 division remains wide open.

In the boys’ youngest category, Zoji Edoc claimed his second straight leg title — and third overall — with an 11-stroke rout of Halo Pangilinan.

Edoc closed with a 78 for a 154 total, while Pangilinan had an 81 for 165.

Korean Sooreen Lee placed third at 170 after another 85.

“What I learned today is to focus more on each shot and make solid contact,” said Edoc, who won despite struggling with his long game and irons.

In the boys’ 11-14 division, Zianbeau Edoc kept his finals hopes alive with a second straight win after missing the first four legs.

He fired a 70 for a 141 total, holding off Vito Sarines, who closed with a 69 but finished two strokes back at 143.

Race Manhit carded an even-par 72 for third at 146, followed by Jacob Casuga at 151 after a 77 and Jacobo Gomez at 153 after a 78.

“I was making more putts today and hitting my wedges closer to the pin,” said Zianbeau, who overcame a triple-bogey 7 on No. 10 after an out-of-bounds drive by rebounding with five birdies.

“I’ve learned the importance of starting strong and reading the greens better,” he added.

In the girls’ 11-14 class, Lisa Sarines fired a 68 to overtake twin sister Mona and secure her third leg title with a four-under 140 total.

Mona matched her opening-round 71 to finish second at 142.

“It feels very refreshing and relieving,” said Lisa. “I’ve been working harder and harder with my coach.”

She made five birdies to offset a lone bogey on No. 14, caused by a wind misjudgment that led to a three-putt.

“I’ll just keep practicing and grinding,” she added.

Kendra Garingalao rebounded from a 78 with a 73 to place third at 151, solidifying her No. 3 spot in the division standings behind the Sarines sisters.

In the 54-hole girls’ 15-18 competition, Korean standout Seeun Pak pulled away by nine over Chloe Rada with a second-round 78 for a 164 total.

Pak, 18, delivered the shot of the day with a hole-in-one on the 146-yard second hole using an 8-iron Ping and a ProV1x 3 ball.

The ace came right after she double-bogeyed the first hole.

For her feat, Pak received a certificate, vouchers, and PHP5,000 from the host club, represented by Mike Singgaran and golf operations manager Joey Seran.

Rada struggled with an 86 for 173, while Tiffany Bernardino had an 89 for 177.

Angelica Bañez followed with a 94 for 182.

In the boys’ 15-18 division, Zachary Villaroman surged ahead with a strong front-nine finish, highlighted by an eagle and a birdie, en route to a two-under 70 and a 143 total.

Building on a one-shot overnight lead over Jose Carlos Taruc, Villaroman widened the gap to six with 18 holes left.

After making two birdies and three bogeys early, Villaroman eagled the par-5 No. 6 and birdied No. 9 for the second straight day to turn in a 34-36 card.

“I made a lot more short putts today compared to yesterday, and I made an eagle,” said Villaroman, who is on the brink of his first leg title after one runner-up finish and three third-place results in the series.

“I’m confident I’ve prepared well enough to win tomorrow,” added Villaroman, who hit a 3-wood second shot from 270 yards on No. 6 to within three feet for a tap-in eagle.

Taruc followed his opening 74 with a 75 for 149, falling six shots behind.

Kristoffer Nadales had a 77 for third at 157, while Andres Fabie posted a 77 to finish fourth at 163.