Espedido Dominates JPGT Luzon Series With Splendido Win

LAUREL, Batangas – Mavis Espedido cemented her brilliant start in the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship by sweeping the first three Luzon series tournaments, capping her run with a three-stroke victory after a 76 at the Splendido Taal leg on Tuesday.

Initially bracing for a close duel with Winter Serapio, Espedido turned the expected showdown into a commanding win, closing the 36-hole tournament at Splendido Taal Golf Club with a four-over card highlighted by a superb 35 on the back nine and finishing with a 156 total.

While Serapio stumbled with a 41, Espedido pulled ahead by seven strokes—a margin that proved crucial after a shaky finish that included a triple bogey on No. 4 and bogeys on her final two holes.

Despite the stumble, Espedido secured her third consecutive girls’ 7-10 trophy in convincing fashion.

Serapio, who matched Espedido’s eagle on No. 2, finished with a steady one-over performance over the final six holes but could only pull within three strokes, closing with a 78 for a 159 total.

Penelope Sy placed third with a 178 after a 91.

“Winning a three-peat makes me really happy because it reflects all the hard work I’ve put in and the support I’ve received from everyone,” said Espedido, who highlighted her round with an eagle on the par-5 No. 2 after a solid drive and a precise 50-degree wedge shot from 68 yards that landed 11 feet from the hole.

The nine-year-old prodigy from Anvaya Cove in Bataan earlier defeated Venus delos Santos by 14 strokes at Eagle Ridge and edged her by one at Sherwood Hills last week.

With 45 ranking points and four tournaments remaining in the seven-leg series, Espedido is virtually assured of a berth in the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals at The Country Club later this year.

Meanwhile, players from the south will open their Vis-Min series Monday, May 5, in Mactan, Cebu.

The Luzon series will resume in July at Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite.

Zach Guico reclaimed the boys’ 7-10 title with a gritty final-round comeback, carding an 84 to defeat Zoji Edoc by four strokes.

Guico posted a 36-hole total of 174, while Edoc, who led by five after the opening round, faltered with a 93 for a 178 aggregate.

Guico, who edged Edoc by one stroke at Eagle Ridge but skipped the Sherwood Hills leg, quickly took control with a 42 on his opening nine as Edoc stumbled with a 50.

Guico followed up with another 42 on the front nine, while Edoc managed a 43, sealing Guico’s victory and boosting his bid for a spot in the national finals with 30 points.

Meanwhile, Edoc solidified his overall lead with 39 points.

Asher Abad finished third after an 86 for a 180, while Halo Pangilinan (90) and Michael Ray Hortel II (96) tied for fourth with 185s.

“I feel good and more confident after winning two tournaments,” said Guico, adding that the recent victories have motivated him to train harder and aim for even bigger goals.

In the girls’ 11-14 division, Lisa Sarines, winner of the first two Luzon legs, narrowly missed matching Espedido’s streak, losing to her twin sister, Mona Sarines, in a dramatic finish decided on the final hole.

The sisters, who opened with matching 78s, remained deadlocked through the first eight holes, trading leads on a blustery day.

Mona held her nerve on No. 9, sinking a par while Lisa missed her bid, allowing Mona to seize the lead.

A birdie and two bogeys against Lisa’s two bogeys in the first seven holes at the back nine gave Mona a two-stroke cushion, which she maintained with a run of pars to clinch the win in the tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Mona pooled a 153 while Lisa birdied the last hole to save a 76 for a 154.

Alexie Gabi placed third with a 166 after an 83.

“I’m really happy to finally win after going winless last year and finishing second twice this season. I’m proud of myself,” said 13-year-old Mona, who credited her putting for the victory.

“I made some really solid putts and saved several holes thanks to my putting,” she added.

Despite the setback, Lisa remained in strong contention for the national finals with 42 points, while Mona boosted her total to 39 points.

Under the JPGT points system, a win is worth 15 points, with succeeding finishes earning 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 point, respectively.

Players can join any number of tournaments, but only their best three results will count toward final rankings.

The top four players in each division (7-10, 11-14 and 15-18) will advance to the national finals.

The battle for the boys’ 11-14 division crown also came down to the final hole, where Ryuji Suzuki exacted revenge on Vito Sarines with a clutch two-shot swing on No. 9.

Suzuki, who previously triumphed at Eagle Ridge where Sarines placed third, closed with a 76 highlighted by a birdie at the last to post a 153 total.

Sarines, who beat Suzuki by five strokes at Sherwood Hills last week, faltered with a bogey on the final hole, settling for a 77 and a 155.

Jacob Casuga finished a distant third at 168 after a second 84.

“It was very intense. There was a lot of pressure on the final hole. This win really means a lot to me,” said Suzuki, 11, who found himself in trouble after driving into deep rough on No. 9, about 165 yards from the pin.

He pulled his 5-iron and punched the ball before the green, where it rolled for a tap-in birdie to win as Sarines bogeyed.

Meanwhile, Rafa Anciano stayed on track for back-to-back titles in the premier girls’ 15-18 division.

Following her runaway win at Sherwood Hills, Anciano carded an 81 for a 164 aggregate in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by ICTSI, pulling ahead of Angelica Bañez by 34 strokes.

Bañez struggled under tough conditions, finishing with a 98 for a 198 total.

In the boys’ 15-18 division, Zach Villaroman nearly squandered a hot frontside 35 with a bogey-filled 39 on the back nine, closing with a 74 to cling to a slim one-shot lead at 146 over Shinichi Suzuki.

Suzuki birdied the final hole to card a 72 and finish at 147, setting up an exciting final-round shootout.

Jose Carlos Taruc remained a distant third at 154 after a 79, while Bien Fajardo, despite an eagle-birdie start, settled for a 74 to climb from a tie for sixth to solo fourth at 158.