Sarines Twins Lead Title Hunt at JPGT Caliraya

CAVINTI, Laguna – The stakes are high and rivalries intensifying as twins Lisa and Mona Sarines face off in the girls 11-14 division at the ICTSI Caliraya Junior PGT Championship, which starts Wednesday, May 28, at the Caliraya Springs Golf and Country Club.

With spots in the Elite Junior Finals on the line, the fourth leg of the Luzon Series is more than a routine tournament — it’s a proving ground.

The Caliraya layout, known for its swirling winds, rolling fairways and tricky hazards, will test every facet of the young golfers’ game, heightening the drama of the season-long chase.

Lisa Sarines won the first two legs of the Luzon circuit, but Mona halted her sweep with a one-stroke victory at Splendido Taal.

Their fourth encounter promises fireworks, with Lisa aiming to tighten her grip on the leaderboard and Mona seeking to even the score.

The Sarines twins are shown playing side by side during an earlier leg of the Junior PGT Series, a familiar sight as their rivalry continues to energize the girls 11-14 division.

But the title chase isn’t a two-player race, as Alexie Gabi, Kelsey Bernardino, Annika Abad, Kendra Garingalao and Eliana Dumalaog are also poised to break the Sarines’ hold in the 36-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

In the boys 11-14 division, Vito Sarines and Race Manhit renew their rivalry in another anticipated showdown.

Vito, riding momentum from a win at Sherwood Hills and a runner-up finish at Splendido Taal, enters as a favorite.

Manhit, who placed second at Eagle Ridge, returns after missing two legs to focus on academics and is determined to make a strong comeback and secure a spot in the North vs. South Finals.

They’ll face stiff competition from Jacob Casuga, Matthias Espina, Inigo Gallardo, Jose Luis Espinosa and Peyton Coyiuto, all aiming to conquer Caliraya’s tough layout and earn Elite Junior Finals berths.

The ranking battle continues across all divisions, with the boys and girls 7-10 classes also competing in 36-hole play.

The 15-18 division opens its grueling 54-hole test, where stamina and course management will be crucial.

Patrick Tambalque, fresh off a win at Sherwood Hills, will go up against Zachary Villaroman, John Paul Agustin, Geoffrey Tan and Enzo Chan.

Kristoffer Nadales, Nathan Belandres and Vincent Ilagan also seek to break through and climb the leaderboard.

On the girls’ side, the Levonne Talion–Rafa Anciano rivalry remains compelling.

Talion staged an eight-shot comeback to defeat Anciano in a playoff at Eagle Ridge, but Anciano bounced back with a solid performance at Sherwood and a runaway win at Splendido Taal, establishing herself as the early favorite.

Talion looks to rebound at Caliraya.

This fourth Luzon leg is pivotal, as players target a top 4 finish in their categories to qualify for the Elite Junior Finals set Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at The Country Club.

There, Luzon’s standouts will take on top performers from the Visayas-Mindanao series in the season-ending North vs. South showdown.

Launched by ICTSI in 2023, the Junior PGT series has become the country’s premier grassroots golf tour, drawing the best young talents from across the Philippines.

With the Visayas-Mindanao swing underway and only three Luzon legs remaining, the pressure is mounting – and Caliraya’s unforgiving conditions guarantee no berth will be easily won.