Suzuki Takes Slim Lead as JPGT Splendido Battle Heats Up

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LAUREL, Batangas — The race for supremacy in the 11-14 division of the ICTSI Splendido Taal Junior PGT Championship turned into a thrilling showdown as early Luzon series winners clashed in a high-stakes battle for top honors in blustery conditions Monday.

Ryuji Suzuki weathered two late bogeys but held firm to card a 77 at the challenging Splendido Taal Golf Club, seizing a slender one-shot lead over Vito Sarines in a gripping display of young golfing talent.

Suzuki, who dominated at Eagle Ridge where Sarines tied for third, seemed on track to build a commanding lead after firing two birdies against two bogeys with three holes to play.

However, bogeys on the seventh and ninth holes forced him to settle for a 37-40 round, keeping Sarines — who beat Suzuki by five shots at Sherwood Hills — well within striking distance with a 78, highlighted by two back-nine birdies.

Jacob Casuga, who stayed close early, faltered with a frontside 42 for an 84, dropping seven shots behind Suzuki.

Matthias Espina and Ryuichi Tao turned in matching 86s, while Robert Coyiuto carded a 92.

Suzuki cited costly errors on the greens for his struggles.

“I could’ve played better if not for two four-putts,” Suzuki said.

“Anything can happen here, but I hope to hit a lot of fairways tomorrow. If you don’t, most likely you’ll end up with a bogey,” he added.

The girls’ race in the same age group also turned into a shootout as twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines posted identical 78s with matching 38-40 nines to lead Alexie Gabi by five strokes.

Lisa, who swept the first two legs at Eagle Ridge and Sherwood Hills, birdied the final hole to catch Mona, who is determined to break her sister’s early domination of the seven-stage series that stakes points for spots in the North vs. South finals.

“My game wasn’t great today — I struggled to get my drives on the fairways,” said Lisa, who carded five bogeys and two double bogeys against three birdies.

“I made some birdies, but I just couldn’t get my game going,” she added.

Looking ahead to the final round, Lisa said: “I need to hit it straight, keep my shots on the fairways, and go for the greens. My goal is to score better than 78, maybe around 3-over or better.”

Mona admitted to her own struggles.

“My game wasn’t really good either. I didn’t have any birdies, but at least I avoided double bogeys. I know I can do better,” she said.

Mona plans to sharpen her iron play and give her best in the final 18 holes.

Gabi birdied the last hole to salvage an 83, while Kendra Garingalao struggled with an 87 and Eliana Dumalaog finished with a 91.

In separate flights, Mavis Espedido edged Winter Serapio in a spirited duel under tough conditions, carding a frontside 41 for an 80 to seize a one-stroke lead in the girls’ 7-10 division.

The Anvaya Cove standout moved closer to a third straight Luzon series victory in the nationwide circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., but is bracing for a shootout with Serapio in Tuesday’s final round.

Serapio stayed within striking distance after grinding out a gritty 81.

“My game wasn’t very good because I had a lot of bogeys, a double bogey, and even a triple bogey,” Espedido said.

She offset her miscues with three birdies that proved crucial in securing the opening-round lead.

Penelope Sy stood in a distant third after an 87, while Tyra Garingalao and Amiya Tablac posted 97 and 104, respectively.

With punishing conditions, even a two- or three-stroke lead could vanish in a single hole, keeping the race wide open.

Zoji Edoc surged ahead in the boys’ youngest division, steadying himself with a scrambling frontside finish to topple Michael Ray Hortel II with a gutsy 85 and seize a commanding four-stroke lead.

Trailing by two after a 43 on the back nine, Edoc closed with a 42, highlighted by pars on the last two holes.

Hortel, who impressed early with a 41, faltered with a 48 marred by a triple bogey, double bogey and a bogey-bogey finish to slide to an 89.

Zach Guico turned in consistent 45s for a 90, five strokes behind Edoc, whom he edged by one at Eagle Ridge previously.

Asher Abad and Kenzo Tan matched 94s, while Halo Pangilinan posted a 95.

“There’s no pressure, but I need to focus and stay relaxed to win again,” Edoc said.

In the premier 15-18 division, Zach Villaroman fired a gutsy 72 to grab a three-stroke lead over Shinichi Suzuki, setting his sights on a title breakthrough in the 54-hole tournament after back-to-back third-place finishes.

Villaroman broke a birdie-bogey run on the back nine with two birdies in the first three holes of the front nine to take solo control.

Despite bogeys on Nos. 4 and 5, he stayed firmly atop the leaderboard as Suzuki, the Eagle Ridge winner, struggled to match Villaroman’s 36 on the back nine, finishing with a 75.

Suzuki ended tied for second with Jose Carlos Taruc, who also squandered a solid 36 with a 39.

Geoffrey Tan turned in an 81 for fourth place, while Rafael Mañalol posted an 83.

Miguel Espartero, Bien Fajardo and Dean See all shot matching 84s.

In the girls’ 15-18 division, Rafa Anciano fueled her bid for a second straight win after avenging her earlier defeat to Eagle Ridge rival Levonne Talion at Sherwood Hills last week.

Anciano soared to a commanding 17-stroke lead over Angelica Bañez despite battling tough conditions for a wind-blown 83.

“My driving was actually pretty okay, but the winds were really tough to deal with,” Anciano said.

“It was really windy, and I ended up playing a lot of bunker shots and taking extra strokes. That’s where I got most of my double bogeys and bogeys — that’s why I couldn’t score as well as I wanted,” she added.

Despite five bogeys and three double bogeys leading to an 11-over round, Anciano managed to build a huge advantage as Bañez struggled with a 100.