Shootout Set in Girls 15-18 Division at JPGT

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The race for the girls’ 15-18 title is expected to be a close battle as the ICTSI Del Monte Junior PGT Championship tees off Wednesday, June 25, at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.

Homegrown talents Zero Plete and Crista Miñoza are set for a showdown with Davao’s Precious Zaragosa in what promises to be a three-way clash among the country’s rising junior golf stars.

Plete and Miñoza aim to bank on their familiarity with the tight, mountaintop course, while Zaragosa brings grit and experience after moving up from a lower age group, where she previously dominated.

Cagayan de Oro’s Kenley Yu and Venice Guillermo and Davao’s Santinna Patosa add depth to the title hunt in the 54-hole event that kicks off the four-leg Mindanao swing of the ICTSI Junior PGT Visayas-Mindanao Series.

The series promises intense competition across all divisions over the next four weeks.

In the boys’ 15-18 division, Mactan leg winner Alexis Nailga of Bukidnon seeks to ride the momentum from his Visayas victory.

He will face tough opposition from Bacolod’s Santi Asuncion, Cebuanos Nyito and Roman Tiongko, Davao’s Vince Naranjo, and Zamboanga’s Mhark Fernando III.

Also contending are CDO’s Armand Copok, Santino Lim, Seth Santos, Cliff Nuñeza, and last year’s match play winner Clement Ordeneza of Bukidnon.

The boys’ 11-14 bracket is wide open following the absence of defending champion and Mactan leg winner Ralph Batican.

South Cotabato’s Jared and Laurence Saban, Davao’s Nicolas Bernardo, and CDO’s Ken Guillermo, Franco Lim, and Kian Umpar will compete for the 36-hole crown.

They face stiff competition from Bukidnon’s Mikhail Namocatcat, James Langamin, and Miko Woo.

Rounding out the field are David Yap and Rio Sia of CDO, Cebu’s Eric Jeon, Koronadal’s Benjamin Garcia, and Valencia’s Marcus Duenas and Guio Pasquil.

In the girls’ 11-14 division, South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo looks for a second straight title following her Mactan win.

She’ll be challenged by CDO’s Margaux Espina and Sasha Edwards, locals Angel Wahing and Yvonne Colim, and Davao’s Kimberly Baroquillo and Ayla Pavadora.

In the 7-10 girls’ division, Bukidnon’s Jilliane Namocatcat, Maegan Langamin, and Ashia Frayco defend their home turf against CDO’s Francesca Geroy and Sistine Yu, Davao’s Soleil Molde, and Koronadal’s Arianna Garcia.

Bukidnon’s Simon Apilat leads the boys’ 7-10 charge, taking on CDO’s James Rolida, Shaqeeq Tanog, Zian Umpar, and Hamish Barnes; Cebu’s Charles Tan, Darren Ong, and Tobias Tiongko; and Davao’s Lucas Revilleza and Luke Habagat.

Eyes will be on Ethan Lago of Davao, who dominated the Mactan leg and is aiming for another 36-hole win.

The JPGT Visayas-Mindanao swing is part of a seven-leg regional circuit.

Players’ top three finishes in their age group will determine the final rankings.

The top four players per division from both the Vis-Min and Luzon series will qualify for the ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior Finals set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at The Country Club in Laguna.

The Luzon series resumes with its fifth leg at Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite, from July 29 to 31, following earlier stops, including last month’s Caliraya Springs leg.