Talion, Anciano Rivalry Renewed at Sherwood Hills

Levonne Talion, fresh off a dramatic come-from-behind win over Rafa Anciano in the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour’s opening leg at Eagle Ridge, is eyeing another high-stakes duel as the tour heads to Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite.

The second leg of the seven-stage Luzon Series tees off Tuesday, April 22, promising another thrilling battle for top honors and valuable ranking points.

Talion, who rallied from eight shots down before edging Anciano on the second sudden-death hole to claim the girls’ 15-18 crown, aims for a repeat in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Anciano, meanwhile, is out for redemption, hoping to build on his strong start and finish stronger this time after fading in the final stretch at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course.

Also seeking back-to-back wins are Lisa Sarines and Ryuji Suzuki, who dominated the 11-14 category in the season opener of the nationwide circuit backed by ICTSI.

Lisa, who routed her twin sister Mona by 13 shots, now faces a deeper field led by Ma. Althea Banez, Arielle Espartero, Keira Que, Stella Pallasigui, Kendra Garingalao, Eliana Dumalaog, and Mona herself.

Suzuki, who cruised to an eight-shot win over Race Manhit, braces for a tighter contest against a strong lineup featuring Vito Sarines, Matthias Espinas, Rafael Hernandez, Kai Abaya, and Jacob Casuga in the boys’ 11-14 bracket.

In the 7-10 division, Mavis Espedido looks to repeat her dominant 14-shot win over Venus delos Santos but will be tested by Athena Serapio, Amiya Tablac, Tyra Garingalao, and Penelope Sy.

The boys’ 7-10 group also promises a close battle with Zoji Edoc, Michael Hortel, Halo Pangilinan, Harvey Hernandez, Hugo Pallasigui, Jeremiah Tan, and Alexian Ching in the field.

The boys’ 15-18 division heats up with Patrick Tambalque joining the lineup after missing the Eagle Ridge leg.

He’ll be up against Jose Carlos Taruc, Zach Villaroman, Gabriel Handog, Alonso Corpus, and John Paul Agustin Jr.

The 7-10 and 11-14 divisions will be played over 36 holes, while the 15-18 division will run the full 54 holes.

Beyond individual titles, players in the 15-18 category are competing for World Amateur Golf Ranking points, with the JPGT now officially recognized by the global ranking body.

The added prestige brings stricter rules, as players can only join one series—Luzon or VisMin—based on their residence or birthplace and cannot switch between the two.

To qualify for the season-ending North vs. South Elite Junior Finals in October, players must participate in at least three legs.

The top four players from each division in both series will advance to the championship.

The Luzon Series resumes with its third leg at Splendido Taal from April 28 to 30.