Sarines, Suzuki Eye Repeat Wins at JPGT Sherwood

Consistency will be Lisa Sarines’ key weapon as she targets a second straight win in the Luzon Series of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour, which resumes Tuesday, April 22, with the ICTSI Sherwood Hills JPGT Championship in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Sarines dominated the tour’s opening leg at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course, carding a pair of 74s to beat her twin sister Mona by 13 strokes.

She credited her strong showing to excellent putting, which made up for earlier struggles with her long game.

The two-week break allowed her to refine her driving, making her a stronger contender in the girls’ 11-14 division for the 36-hole second leg of the seven-stage Luzon series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. at Sherwood Hills Golf Club.

Mona Sarines is determined to bounce back and derail her sister’s title bid, along with contenders Arielle Espartero, Keira Que, Stella Pallasigui, Kendra Garingalao, Ma. Althea Bañez and Eliana Dumalaog.

Lisa will play with Bañez, Garingalao and Espartero in the 11:33 a.m. flight.

Mona draws Dumalaog, Pallasigui and Que in the earlier 11:25 a.m. flight.

In the boys’ 11-14 division, Ryuji Suzuki is also chasing back-to-back wins after an eight-stroke victory over Race Manhit in the opener.

Facing a 22-player field that includes Vito Sarines, Jacob Casuga, Matthias Espinas and Rafael Hernandez, the Southwoods standout expects stiffer competition in hot conditions.

Suzuki plays alongside Vito Sarines, Casuga and Ryuichi Tao at 7:36 a.m.

Anticipation builds in the youngest 7-10 category, with Mavis Espedido and Venus delos Santos expected to renew their rivalry in the girls’ division.

Espedido won the opening leg by 14 strokes, but delos Santos looks to bounce back on the windy course.

Athena Serapio, Amiya Tablac, Tyra Garingalao, Penelope Sy and Andrea Dee are also in the mix.

Espedido, delos Santos, Serapio and Sy tee off together at 6:32 a.m.

With first-leg winner Zach Guico skipping this leg, the boys’ 7-10 crown is up for grabs among Zoji Edoc, Michael Hortel, Halo Pangilinan, Harvey Hernandez, Hugo Pallasigui, Blake Sy, Jeremiah Tan and Alexian Ching.

The 15-18 category promises intense action in the 54-hole event, with Zach Villaroman, Alonso Espartero, Gabriel Handog, Alonso Corpus, Jose Carlos Taruc, Rafael Mañaol, Patrick Tambalque, John Paul Agustin Jr. and Tristan Padilla vying for the title.

In the girls’ premier division, Levonne Talion and Rafa Anciano are set for a rematch.

Talion rallied from eight shots down to win in a playoff in the first leg.

Angelica Bañez and Chloe Rada also bolster the field, with the premier division serving as part of the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), raising the stakes.

Under the tour’s revised rules, players are restricted to either the Luzon or VisMin Series based on their residence or birthplace and may not switch between circuits.

To qualify for the season-ending North vs. South Elite Junior Finals on Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, players must compete in at least three legs, with the top four from each division in both series advancing.

The Luzon Series continues with its third leg at Splendido Taal on April 28 to 30.

The VisMin Series, also composed of seven legs, kicks off May 5 to 7 at Mactan Island Golf Course in Cebu.