JPGT Mindanao Series Tees Off at Del Monte

BUKIDNON – With qualification points for the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals at stake, the country’s top junior golfers brace for a fierce showdown in the ICTSI Del Monte Junior PGT Championship, which opens today, June 25, at the mountaintop Del Monte Golf Club.

The event kicks off the four-leg Mindanao swing of the nationwide series, which also includes Pueblo de Oro (July 1–3), South Pacific (July 9–11), and Apo Golf (July 14–16).

It is a key part of the Visayas-Mindanao circuit and a pivotal moment in the race for Elite Junior Finals spots, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at The Country Club in Laguna.

Only the best three results count toward the rankings, so players are expected to go all out—not just for the win, but for crucial points to secure one of four coveted berths per division in the Vis-Min series.

Top performers will later face off with Luzon’s best in the national finals.

Though Bukidnon-based players have the home course advantage, recent results show that familiarity doesn’t guarantee success.

Visayan standouts have consistently thrived outside their territory, setting the stage for a tight and unpredictable contest.

Mactan leg winner Alexis Nailga headlines the boys’ 15–18 division and aims to keep his momentum against a deep field that includes Bukidnon’s Clement Ordeneza, last year’s match play champion.

They’ll be challenged by Cebu’s Nyito and Roman Tiongko and Bacolod’s Santi Asuncion, all eager to break through after narrow misses in earlier legs of the 54-hole tourney.

In the girls’ 15–18 group, Davao’s Precious Zaragosa looks to bounce back from her runner-up finish in Mactan.

She will face stiff opposition from Bukidnon bets Zero Plete and Crista Minoza, CDO’s Kenley Yu and Venice Guillermo, and Davao’s Santinna Patosa.

The boys’ 11–14 field will battle over 36 holes, featuring top contenders like South Cotabato’s Jared and Laurence Saban, Davao’s Nicolas Bernardo, CDO’s Ken Guillermo, Franco Lim and Kian Umpar, and Bukidnon’s Mikhail Namocatcat, James Langamin and Miko Woo.

In the girls’ 11–14 division, South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo, winner of the Mactan leg, eyes a second straight title.

She’ll face CDO’s Margaux Espina and Sasha Edwards, Bukidnon’s Angel Wahing and Yvonne Colim, and Davao’s Kimberly Baroquillo and Ayla Pavadora.

The youngest brackets (7–10) also promise drama, with Jilliane Namocatcat, Maegan Langamin and Ashia Frayco leading local hopes against challengers Francesca Geroy, Sistine Yu, Soleil Molde and Arianna Garcia.

In the boys’ group, Bukidnon’s Simon Apilat is set to clash with contenders from CDO, Cebu and Davao, including Ethan Lago, the dominant Mactan leg winner, who returns in pursuit of back-to-back wins in the 36-hole contest.

The ICTSI Junior PGT continues to provide a structured platform for youth golfers to sharpen their game, measure up against peers, and chase dreams of elite competition.

With momentum, ranking points and national pride on the line, expect nothing less than high-stakes action when the nation’s rising stars tee off at Del Monte.