North vs South clash in explosive ICTSI Elite Junior Finals

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The long and grueling journey of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) culminates in a dramatic, high-stakes finale as the ICTSI Elite Junior Finals gets going on Wednesday (Oct. 1) at The Country Club in Laguna — a fitting stage for what promises to be a thrilling, unpredictable, and history-making showdown.

This isn’t just another junior golf tournament.

The season-ending championship brings together the country’s finest young talents in a Ryder Cup-style battle — a novel, high-pressure format never before used in the JPGT Finals.

For the first time, the best of the North (Luzon) face off against the cream of the crop from the South (Visayas-Mindanao), in a three-day team-based format where chemistry, strategy, and resilience matter just as much as raw talent.

And with the stakes higher than ever, anything can happen.

The Finals will unfold over three competitive formats:
Day 1 (Oct. 1) – Four-Ball (Best Ball): Each pair plays their own ball, and the best score per hole counts. It’s a game of trust, where one partner’s brilliance can save the other’s missteps.
Day 2 (Oct. 2) – Foursomes (Alternate Shot): A test of rhythm and trust. Teammates take turns hitting a single ball, demanding perfect harmony and patience.
Day 3 (Oct. 3) – Singles: Mano-a-mano match play, with players battling head-to-head. Every hole counts as they fight for crucial points to push their teams over the finish line.

In a format where individual brilliance must align with team dynamics, no match is ever safe.

Momentum swings, unexpected heroics, or costly miscues can alter the outcome in seconds — making every shot meaningful and every hole dramatic.

Team North, captained by Francis Talion with Ryan Tambalque as co-captain, is gunning for redemption after the South dominated last year’s match play Finals, winning six of eight titles.

This time, North’s roster boasts power and depth, led by 15–18 standouts Patrick Tambalque, Zachary Villaroman, Jose Carlos Taruc, and Kristoffer Nadales, who stepped up after Shinichi Suzuki’s withdrawal due to international duty in Japan.

The women’s premier division features North’s top contenders Rafa Anciano, Levonne Talion, Tiffany Bernardino, and Chloe Rada — all hungry to avenge last year’s results.

Team South, under the leadership of Alfred Gaccion and co-captain Boyet Zaragosa, arrives with a fiery mix of experience and form.

Multi-leg winner Alexis Nailga, along with Luciano Copok, Mhark Fernando III, and Eric Jeon, spearhead the boys’ elite lineup, while the girls’ squad boasts Tashanah Balangauan, Crista Miñoza, Precious Zaragosa, and Mike Guillermo, who grabbed a late slot after academic conflicts sidelined Zero Plete.

In the 11–14 division, the Sarines twins, Lisa and Mona, alongside Kendra Garingalao and Alexie Gabi, look to lock horns with Southern standouts Brittany Tamayo, Kimberly Baroquillo, Zuri Bagaloyos, and Rafella Batican in what could be one of the most closely contested categories in the championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

The boys’ division will be equally intense, with Vito Sarines, Zianbeau Edoc, Ryuji Suzuki, and Jacob Casuga defending North’s banner against Southern challengers Ralph Batican, Ken Guillermo, Jared Saban, and Marcus Dueñas.

Meanwhile, the youngest age group (7–10) brings a refreshing unpredictability and passion, where raw talent and fearless energy could swing matches in either direction.

Expect fireworks from North’s Zoji Edoc, Zach Guico, Asher Abad, and Halo Pangilinan, up against South’s Ethan Lago, Lucas Revilleza, Kvan Alburo, and James Rolida — the latter stepping in after Jamie Barnes withdrew due to academic commitments in Thailand.

Also expected to deliver fireworks and pivotal points are the contenders in the girls’ 7–10 division, with Team North fielding rising stars Ronee Dungca, Mavis Espedido, Winter Serapio, and Tyra Garingalao.

Team South counters with an equally formidable lineup composed of Denise Mendoza, Soleil Molde, Claren Quiño, and Francesca Geroy — each ready to make a big impact despite their young age.