North beats South, retains Junior PGT crown

CAGAYAN DE ORO — North proved once again that in team golf, chemistry can travel farther than home-course familiarity.

Showing it could dominate both head-to-head duels and coordinated team play with equal intensity, North shrugged off unfamiliar surroundings, punishing heat, and a fired-up home side to retain its crown in the ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Championship with an emphatic 29-19 victory Thursday at South’s home turf at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

North dominated the Singles, 14 1/2-9 1/2.

Needing just 10 points from the 24 head-to-head matches to retain the crown, North won six of the first seven duels — ignited by Jaicee Cervantes’ 7&5 romp over Blake Aguilar in girls’ 7-10 — and halved the other, further underscoring the visiting side’s class, resolve, and poise that defined its imposing performance all week.

The last 3 1/2 points took longer than expected, but North eventually completed the inevitable in thrilling fashion, with Zoji Edoc turning a losing position into a clutch victory.

Edoc won the final five holes in a dramatic comeback, rallying from three down to snatch a 2-up triumph over Ethan Lago and match Cervantes’ unbeaten run.

Cervantes’ partner, Andrea Dee, also rallied to eke out a hard-fought 1-up victory over Soleil Molde, while boys’ 15-18 standout Shin Suzuki remained unbeaten for three days, capping his campaign with a 3&2 triumph over Roman Tiongko.

The four players thus completed a dominant three-day run, sweeping all their matches in team play and individual competition and showcasing impressive consistency and form throughout.

South had earlier stalled North’s march to the title by claiming five victories across various age divisions.

But Rafa Anciano delivered an emphatic 5&4 win over Apple Gotiong in the girls’ 15-18 division before Jehanne Mendoza finally sealed the championship for North with a gritty 1-up escape over Akeisha Yocte.

Mendoza appeared firmly in control, taking a 2-up lead with two holes to play.

But Yocte fought back by winning No. 8, forcing Mendoza to dig deep on the final hole.

Mendoza regained her composure, matched Yocte’s par, and erupted in jubilation as her 5-foot putt disappeared into the cup.

The clutch finish secured the championship-clinching 10th point for Team North, although the celebration was far from over.

North went on to win four of the final eight matches, putting the finishing touches on another commanding performance in the regional showdown organized by ICTSI to showcase the country’s most promising young golfers.

Team North captain Joey Anciano credited the squad’s composure, discipline, and willingness to embrace individual roles for its victory over a strong South team.

“We started slow, but we talked to the guys and the kids and told them, ‘Just take it one hole at a time.’ By the turn, with God’s grace, we had the lead. Basically, it was unexpected. The South team was very strong, and their lineup was individually very strong, so we weren’t expecting anything. We just had to come here, play our game and take it one hole at a time,” said Anciano.

On the team’s winning formula, he added:

“The key was knowing your role. In match play, obviously, there are players who lose and players who win. But knowing your role as a team is very, very important. You win as a team, you lose as a team. That’s what we did, and we were happy to get the result.”

He also stressed the importance of course management and avoiding unnecessary risks.

“One of the keys was respecting the course and respecting the green speeds. There really isn’t a lot of room for risky shots, so we just had to play smart and stay disciplined.”

“This victory means so much. It really proves that it’s not just our familiarity with The Country Club or a home-course advantage. We were able to prove ourselves no matter where we were placed, and it really comes down to our talent and skill,” he said.

South appeared to have the momentum early, but the match swung dramatically on the back nine, according to captain Boyet Zaragosa.

“It was very exciting at the start because we seized the early lead. But they took control on the back nine, and the momentum seemed to completely shift. We were leading after the first nine holes, but things turned around on the back nine, especially in the boys’ and girls’ 7-10 matches. That’s where we felt the momentum slipping away,” said Zaragosa.

While Cervantes sparked the team’s final-day charge and Mendoza sealed it, Santi Asuncion capped North’s domination by forcing an all-square result against Sebastian Sajuela in boys’ 15-18, bringing the Singles matches to a close.

So outclassed were the hosts that their first half-point came from a draw, with Lucas Revilleza surrendering a late lead that allowed Kenzo Tan to fight back.

After Cervantes’ win, Winter Serapio followed suit, bouncing back from a draw and a loss with a dominant 6&4 victory over Vanya Go, also in the youngest division.

The win gave North the first two points, leaving its other 22 teammates to secure the eight points needed to clinch the crown.

While South showed flashes of resistance in the boys’ division, controlling nine of the 12 matches midway through the final day, North repeatedly found ways to salvage all-square matches or snatch victories in dramatic reversals.

Those comebacks further underscored the team’s poise and composure in pressure-packed situations.

The result was more than another triumph for North, demonstrating how teamwork, camaraderie, and the ability to adapt quickly can neutralize even a formidable home-course advantage.

Despite North’s commanding lead, the deciding Singles matches remained intense, with roars echoing across the greens of the demanding yet well-kept par-72 layout as every chip or putt either added to Team North’s cushion or fueled a South rally.

Zach Guico battled back from two-hole deficits with a blistering rally, squeaking out a 2&1 victory over Darren Ong in boys’ 7-10 for North’s third point, while Jacob Casuga defeated Mico Woo, 3&2, and Javie Bautista routed Ken Guillermo, 5&3, in boys’ 11-14.

Stephen Clementer halved the match with Kingston Ching in boys’ 7-10 for the other half-point start for Team South.

South won the other boys’ 15-18 faceoffs as Alexis Nailga trounced Nathan Belandres, 5&4; and Clement Ordeneza dominated Jakob Taruc, 5&3, while South’s Jared Saban and Ralph Batican halted Chan Ahn and Vito Sarines, 2-up, and 3&1, respectively, in boys’ 11-14.

South’s Rafella Batican and Brittany Tamayo also hurdled their matches, defeating Georgina Handog, 4&2; and Quincy Pilac, 2&1, respectively, but North’s Mavis Espedido edged Marqaela Dy, 2&1; and Cailey Gonzales nipped Zuri Bagaloyos, 1-up, to even things up in girls’ 11-14 category.

In other girls’ 15-18 results, South’s Tashanah Balangauan routed Kendra Garingalao, 7&6; and Precious Zaragosa defeated Mona Sarines, 3&2; but North’s Lisa Sarines held off Lois Lane Go, 2&1.

The 10-point romp gave North back-to-back championships in the event, following its 26 1/2-21 1/2 victory over South at The Country Club in Laguna last year. This time, however, the Northerners had to do it away from home.

North imposed its class in the Four-ball (best-ball) matches, posting a 7 1/2-4 1/2 victory. South answered in the Foursomes (alternate-shot) format, where the demands of precision, rhythm and partnership brought the home team closer, but North held its nerve and escaped with a 7-5 win.