North targets repeat, South eyes ICTSI JPGT redemption

Defending champion Team North will seek another fast start when the 2026 ICTSI Elite Junior Philippine Golf Tour Finals unfolds Aug. 17–20 at Pueblo Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro.

Team South, meanwhile, will look to use its home-course familiarity to reverse last year’s result in the Ryder Cup-style championship.

Organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., the tournament will bring together the top 48 junior golfers from the six-leg Luzon, or North, and Visayas-Mindanao, or South, series.

The championship is also a World Amateur Golf Ranking-counting tournament.

North won the inaugural edition last year with a 26 1/2–21 1/2 victory at The Country Club in Canlubang.

The defending champions established control by dominating the opening two team formats before completing the victory in the Singles matches.

That experience underscored the value of building early momentum in the Four-ball and Foursomes sessions, where a strong start can shape the direction of the entire competition.

South hopes the familiar Pueblo layout and a roster of talented local players will help produce a tighter title race this year.

The girls’ 7–10 division is expected to provide an energetic opening to the championship.

North will field Winter Serapio, Jaicee Cervantes, Andrea Dee, and Jehanne Mendoza in the category.

South will counter with Soleil Molde, Ana Marie Aguilar, Vanya Go, and Akeisha Yocte.

The boys’ 7–10 division also features several promising young golfers.

South’s Ethan Lago, Stephen Clementer, Lucas Revilleza, and Darren Ong will face North’s Zach Guicio, Zoji Edoc, Kenzo Tan, and Kingston Ching.

Another close contest is expected in the girls’ 11–14 division.

North will rely on Cailey Gonzales, Georgina Handog, Mavis Espedido, and Quincy Pilac.

South will be represented by Marqaela Dy, Brittany Tamayo, Rafella Batican, and Zuri Bagaloyos.

The boys’ 11–14 class will feature some of the country’s brightest young prospects.

North will field Chan Ahn, Vito Sarines, Javie Bautista, and Jacob Casuga.

South will answer with Ken Guillermo, Jared Saban, Ralph Batican, and Mico Woo.

Attention will also center on the premier girls’ 15–18 division.

South’s Tashanah Balangauan, Precious Zaragosa, Apple Gotiong, and Lois Lane Go will face North’s Lisa Sarines, Rafa Anciano, Mona Sarines, and Kendra Garingalao.

The marquee boys’ 15–18 division is expected to deliver some of the tournament’s most compelling matches.

North’s Shinichi Suzuki, Jakob Taruc, Nathan Belandres, and Santi Asuncion will battle South’s Alexis Nailga, Sebastian Sajuelas, Clement Ordeneza, and Roman Tiongko.

Team chemistry will again play a major role in the Four-ball and Foursomes formats.

The championship will then shift to pressure-packed Singles matches, where each point could determine the outcome.

North built the foundation of last year’s title run by sweeping the opening sessions.

The defending champions won the Four-ball matches, 8–4.

North then edged South, 6 1/2–5 1/2, in Foursomes.

In Singles, North won 11 of the 24 matches and halved two others to secure the championship.

Repeating that formula could prove more difficult this year.

South will attempt to draw energy from the home crowd and its familiarity with the Pueblo Golf and Country Club layout as it seeks to reclaim regional bragging rights.