Lago, Dy score repeat at JPGT Vis-Min Series

CEBU City – Ethan Lago turned early adversity into a commanding triumph, showcasing composure beyond his years to outplay Lucas Revilleza and secure a three-stroke victory in the boys’ 7-10 division of the ICTSI Alta Vista Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.

Trailing by two strokes at the start, Lago flipped the script with a steady frontside 37 as Revilleza faltered with two costly double bogeys. From there, Lago stayed in control, minimizing errors under sweltering conditions and sealing the win in style with a birdie on the 16th. His even-par pair of 37s gave him a 74 and a 36-hole total of 150.

Revilleza, who opened with a 74 and looked poised to avenge his five-stroke loss to Lago in Mactan last week, never fully recovered from his shaky start. A late birdie on the 17th helped him salvage a 79 and a 153, while Darren Ong finished a distant third at 178 after a 92.

“I feel happy and proud of myself because I won back-to-back,” said Lago, 8, after nailing his fourth overall win in the JPGT. “Driving and putting were key.”

In the girls’ 7-10 division, Avery Go delivered one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes, storming back with three consecutive birdies to snatch victory from Zoey Mascariñas. Go turned a deficit into a two-shot win, closing with a 78 for a 153 total.

Mascariñas appeared headed for victory after carding five-over through 15 holes, but Go ignited her charge with a birdie on the 16th to tie the lead, followed by another on the 17th to seize it. A third straight birdie on the final hole sealed the comeback, leaving Mascariñas to settle for pars down the stretch and a 77 for 155. Ana Marie Aguilar placed third at 162, while Mactan leg winner Akeisha Yocte finished fourth at 164 after an 84.

“It feels good to win because you know you worked hard for it,” said Go, brimming with confidence after draining the first of her closing birdies.

She credited her strong driving for the surge that helped her bounce back from a challenging stint in Mactan.

Marqaela Dy continued her dominant run in the girls’ 11-14 category, capturing back-to-back titles with a 75 for a 147 total, thwarting Zuri Bagaloyos for the second straight time.

Though she stumbled early with three bogeys in the first six holes, Dy regained momentum with a crucial eagle on the par-5 seventh, then capitalized on Bagaloyos’ miscues on the back nine to stay in control.

Dy held her nerve with clutch pars and a birdie on the last to fend off Bagaloyos, who shot a 76 for 149. Brittany Tamayo and Isabella Espina tied for third at 154 after 74 and 78, respectively.

“It feels really good to score back-to-back, especially with so many strong players in the field. During the practice round, my shots kept finding the hazard, so I really didn’t expect to win,” said Dy, reflecting on her 36–39 round, which she highlighted with a solid drive on the par-5 No. 7, followed by a second shot that landed within eight feet, setting up an eagle. “I was able to play consistently and manage my mistakes well, which helped me save pars on several holes.”

In the boys’ 11-14 division, Laurence Saban delivered one of the day’s best performances, firing a 71 to claim a four-stroke victory over cousin Jared Saban. Laurence gunned down five birdies against four bogeys for a 33-38 and a 148, leading a South Cotabato 1-2 finish. Jared shot a 73 for 152, while Mico Woo took third at 165 after an 87.

“Happy because I won gold, but I didn’t expect to win,” said Laurence, 12, in Filipino. “I’m also happy because I made many friends and gained confidence from this victory.”

In the premier 15-18 class, David Gothong carded a 77 to go with an opening 80 for a 157 total, stretching his lead to six strokes over Sebastian Sajuela in the boys’ division of the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. series and moving within 18 holes of a breakthrough win.

Gothong mixed two birdies with a bogey and double bogey on the front and battled to a 41 on the back in tough, uphill conditions as his rivals faltered. Sajuela rallied with three birdies in his last four holes but settled for a 79 for 163, while Lucas Demiar shot an 80 for 164.

In the girls’ category, Tashanah Balangauan edged ahead after a gripping day-long duel with Dominique Gotiong. Balangauan finished strong with a steady run of pars and a birdie, salvaging a second straight 75 for a 150 total and a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament.

Gotiong, seeking redemption after falling to Balangauan in Mactan, kept pace with a birdie on No. 15. However, a costly double bogey on the par-3 17th – coupled with Balangauan’s birdie – resulted in a decisive three-shot swing that handed Balangauan the solo lead. Gotiong birdied the final hole to trim the deficit to two, closing with a 77 for a 152 aggregate.

Meanwhile, in the JPGT Luzon Series at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Valley Golf’s Zach Guico and Andrea Dee surged ahead in the 7-10 division, with the former firing a blistering 70 to seize a commanding six-stroke lead over Zoji Edoc in the boys’ youngest category.

Dee likewise pulled away by six strokes in the girls’ side, carding a 77 to wrest the spotlight from Mount Malarayat leg winner Winter Serapio.

Both Guico and Dee displayed superb form under challenging heat and windy conditions, moving a step closer to clinching their respective titles in this second leg of the regional series.

Determined to make up for missing the opening leg at Mount Malarayat, Guico came out firing, tallying four birdies against two bogeys in an impressive round that saw him pull away from Edoc in their much-anticipated duel.

Edoc stayed within striking distance at the turn, trailing by just two strokes, but faltered on the back nine with two bogeys and a double bogey to finish with a 76. Alexian Ching carded an 80 for third place.

“My game felt solid overall,” said the 8-year-old Guico. “I hit a lot of good shots, though there were a few mistakes. The key for me is to focus on making pars, and when birdie opportunities come, I try to give myself a good chance to convert.”

In the girls’ 7-10 division, Dee leaned on a steady round highlighted by three birdies to post a 77 and open up a six-stroke advantage over Serapio, who also had three birdies but finished with an 83. Jehanne Mendoza and Tyly Bernardino carded 84 and 86, respectively, to stay within range in the 36-hole tournament.

“I stay focused by keeping a positive mindset throughout the round,” said the 10-year-old Dee. “Even when I make mistakes, I remind myself to stay calm and move on to the next shot.”

With a sizable lead heading into the final round, Dee expressed confidence in her chances of completing a wire-to-wire victory.

In the JPGT Luzon Series at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas, Valley Golf’s Zach Guico and Andrea Dee surged ahead in the 7-10 division with the former firing a blistering 70 to seize a commanding six-stroke lead over Zoji Edoc in the boys’ youngest category.

Dee likewise pulled away by six strokes in the girls’ side, carding a 77 to wrest the spotlight from Mount Malarayat leg winner Winter Serapio.

Both Guico and Dee displayed superb form under challenging heat and windy conditions, moving a step closer to clinching their respective titles in this second leg of the regional series.

Determined to make up for missing the opening leg at Mount Malarayat, Guico came out firing, tallying four birdies against two bogeys in an impressive round that saw him pull away from Edoc in their much-anticipated duel.

Edoc stayed within striking distance at the turn, trailing by just two strokes, but faltered at the back nine with two bogeys and a double bogey to finish with a 76. Alexian Ching carded an 80 for third place.

“My game felt solid overall,” said the eight-year-old Guico. “I hit a lot of good shots, though there were a few mistakes. The key for me is to focus on making pars, and when birdie opportunities come, I try to give myself a good chance to convert.”

In the girls’ 7-10, Dee leaned on a steady round highlighted by three birdies to post a 77 and open up a six-stroke advantage over Serapio, who also had three birdies but finished with an 83. Jehanne Mendoza and Tyly Bernardino carded 84 and 86, respectively, to stay within range in the 36-hole tournament.

“I stay focused by keeping a positive mindset throughout the round,” said the 10-year-old Dee. “Even when I make mistakes, I remind myself to stay calm and move on to the next shot.”

With a sizable lead heading into the final round, Dee expressed confidence in her chances of completing a wire-to-wire victory.

In the 11-14 division, Chan Anh moved within 18 holes of completing a sweep of the Luzon series’ first two legs, firing a 70 to build a commanding seven-stroke lead over Vito Sarines, whom he also outplayed at Mount Malarayat.

Anh surged ahead in the tightly contested field of 25 players, stringing together three pairs of consecutive birdies on holes 2, 8 and 13 to offset a four-bogey setback. His strong recovery proved decisive against a field that included several standout contenders.

Sarines managed two birdies but struggled with consistency, finishing with a 77. Javie Bautista carded a 78 to place third, while Jacob Casuga and Ryuichi Tao posted identical 80s.

In the girls’ 11-14 category, Mavis Espedido took the lead with a 77, putting herself in position to redeem her fifth-place finish last week. However, she faces a serious challenge from Cailey Gonzales, who closed the gap to just one stroke with a 78. Tyra Garingalao slipped to third after an 87, effectively narrowing the race to a two-player contest.

In the premier 15–18 division, Rafael Leonio battled through a difficult closing stretch, dropping four bogeys over the last five holes but still escaping with a two-shot lead with a 76. Taeyang Yun stayed within striking distance after a 78, while Tami Stefano placed third with an 81.

Bien Fajardo and Gabriel Fabian followed with of 82 and 88, respectively, with 36 holes remaining in the three-day tournament.

Meanwhile, in the girls’ division, Kendra Garingalao birdied the final hole to halt a skid that included four bogeys and a triple bogey. Her 78 was enough to secure a four-stroke lead over Chloe Rada, as the rest of the field struggled in tough afternoon conditions.

Rada bogeyed two of her last three holes to finish with an 82, while Levonne Talion carded an 83, and Rafa Anciano and Alexie Gabi turned in 86 and 87, respectively. Despite the gaps, all remain within contention with two days left to play – proof that no lead is ever safe at Summit Point.