Revilleza Ties Barnes as Davao Golfers Shine at Apo

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DAVAO CITY – After a slow showing at South Pacific, Davao’s junior golfers stormed back strong at Apo Golf and Country Club, with homegrown players either taking the lead or moving into contention in five of six divisions after Monday’s opening round of the ICTSI Apo Golf Junior PGT Championship.

Leading the charge was 8-year-old Lucas Revilleza, who used his familiarity with the tricky layout to shoot a one-under 71 and tie Cagayan de Oro’s Jamie Barnes atop the boys’ 7-10 division.

A student at Rizal Memorial Colleges Inc., Revilleza overcame early jitters to fire four birdies against three bogeys and stay on track for a breakthrough win.

He previously placed third at Del Monte, second at Pueblo de Oro, and third again at South Pacific.

“Kinabahan talaga ako nung una, pero nag-focus lang ako at nagtiwala,” said Revilleza, who bounced back from a bogey on No. 4 with two birdies in the next three holes.

He capped his round with two more birdies, including a clutch putt from pin-length range to offset two late bogeys.

“Sana maipanalo ko na ito sa home course ko,” added Revilleza, eyeing a two-under total to clinch his first win in the four-leg Mindanao swing of the seven-leg Visayas-Mindanao Series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Barnes, who swept the first three Mindanao legs in his JPGT debut, trailed Revilleza by three late in the round after a double bogey on the par-3 11th but responded with birdies on Nos. 13, 14, 17 and 18.

“I think I played well and made a lot of birdies,” said Barnes, who admitted limited practice time at Apo.

“I like the course. It’s hard, but the greens are pretty easy. I’m not used to playing on slow greens—I like the fast ones. Hopefully, I can win again.”

Cebu’s Kvan Alburo placed third with a 77, while Shaqeeq Tanog and James Rolida struggled with rounds of 85 and 90, respectively.

In the girls’ 7-10 division, Davaoeña Soleil Molde stayed on track for back-to-back wins with a 78.

The Living Learning Home School standout, who ruled the Del Monte leg, built an 11-shot lead as Pueblo de Oro winner Claren Quiño slipped to an 89.

Zoey Mascariñas and Kassandra Morente carded 93 and 103, respectively.

“I struggled with my driving and putting, but I’m confident. God is with me and it’s all up to Him,” said Molde.

“We’re gonna plan—and let God do the bigger one.”

South Cotabato’s Jared Saban also moved 18 holes away from a second straight title, seizing a one-stroke lead in the boys’ 11-14 division with a 77.

He edged Valencia’s Marcus Dueñas and Del Monte’s Mico Woo, who matched 78s to set up a tight three-way battle for the title.

Ken Guillermo, who won at Del Monte and Pueblo de Oro, continued to struggle with an 82.

“Medyo nag-struggle ako dito kesa sa South Pacific, pero gumana ang pitching at putting ko,” said Saban, 12, who won by nine strokes last week.

“Gitna lang ang palo at play for par,” he said of his final-round mindset.

In the girls’ 11-14 division, South Pacific winner Brittany Tamayo and Davao’s Shane Baroquillo each shot 75s to take a four-stroke lead over Zuri Bagaloyos (79), with Johanna Uyking one back at 80.

Tamayo leaned on her long game while Baroquillo relied on strong putting to set up a high-stakes final round.

“I hit all straight today, but the greens are very fast compared to South Pacific,” said Tamayo, 13, from South Cotabato.

“I plan to stay focused and just play for par, not think about others’ scores.”

Baroquillo, also 13, said she chipped and putted well.

“I made good saves from the bunkers,” she added.

“To win, I just need to play my game and hit fairways and greens.”

In the girls’ 15-18 division, Del Monte’s Crista Miñoza and Davao’s Merry Rose Wacan renewed their rivalry after a close finish at South Pacific, where Miñoza edged Wacan by two.

Miñoza struggled with the tricky greens but managed a 79.

“Mas nahirapan ako dito kasi mahirap basahin ang greens,” said the 17-year-old.

Wacan, also 17, birdied the par-5 18th from eight feet to tie Miñoza at seven-over.

“Just play my game, hit fairways and greens, and two-putt,” she said of her plan.

In the boys’ premier 15-18 division, Davaoeño AJ Wacan fired an even-par 72 to take a one-stroke lead over South Pacific winner Adrian Bisera.

Wacan birdied Nos. 3, 9 and 16 to offset bogeys on Nos. 10, 17 and 9, with strong support from his caddie.

“Mas confident ako dito kasi home course ko,” said Wacan, whose slim build belies his length off the tee.

“Gumana din ang putting at malaking tulong din ang caddie (Dio) ko—magaling magbasa.”

Bisera, who started on the back nine, eagled the par-5 18th with two solid 3-wood shots and a 16-foot putt but dropped three shots early on the front nine and finished with a 73.

David Teves shot a 74, while returning contender Alexis Nailga birdied No. 8 to salvage a 75.

Vince Naranjo added a 76 to create a tightly packed leaderboard heading into the final 36 holes.