Tallion, Serdenia Triumph in ICTSI Junior Golf Tilt

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Levonne Talion and Charles Serdenia delivered contrasting performances, fueling their ICTSI Junior PGT Championship bids by topping the 15-18 age category at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Norman course on Thursday.

Talion battled back from eight strokes down to stun Rafa Anciano, winning on the second playoff hole with a par to clinch the girls’ championship in the premier division of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

She forced a sudden-death playoff with a clutch par on the 18th, closing with a 79 and a 252 total after Anciano faltered with a costly three-putt for an 87.

Starting the day far behind under sweltering conditions, Talion cut the deficit in half with a front-nine 39, while Anciano struggled to a 43, marred by a triple bogey on the ninth.

Anciano couldn’t halt her slide on the back nine, stumbling with double bogeys on Nos. 13 and 16.

That opened the door for Talion, who pulled within one shot heading to the par-4 18th, ultimately drawing level after 54 holes.

Both players parred the first playoff hole, but on their third return to the 18th, Talion secured the win with a routine par.

Anciano mishit her approach shot, sending it under a tree.

She was forced to punch out and missed a long par-saving putt, allowing Talion to clinch the improbable win.

Meanwhile, Serdenia, initially locked in a tight battle with Shinichi Suzuki, pulled away with a determined front-nine surge, extending his one-stroke overnight lead to three at the turn.

Despite a late birdie from Suzuki, Serdenia stayed composed with steady closing pars to seal a two-shot victory after carding a 73 for a 54-hole total of 227.

Trailing by three with two holes to play, Suzuki mounted a final push with a birdie on the 17th.

But Serdenia’s poise under pressure frustrated the Manila Southwoods standout, who settled for a 74 and a 229 finish.

Zach Villaroman posted a 75 to claim third place at 232.

Despite battling nerves, Talion showed grit and composure in regulation play, rallying from far behind to force a playoff.

“I was so nervous since that was my first time in a playoff and I didn’t know how it felt,” said Talion, 15, from Letran-Calamba.

Despite the pressure, she stayed focused.

“I tried to stay focused on my game and not on my opponent so I wouldn’t get too pressured.”

After struggling during the first two days, Talion credited her improved driving and short game for the comeback.

“I didn’t play very well early on,” said Talion, who trains at Ayala Greenfield and Riviera.

“But I learned from my mistakes and made key improvements today (Thursday), especially with my driving and short game. I hit a lot of fairways and was able to capitalize on birdie and par chances.”

She called the victory a major milestone.

“This is one of the few tournaments I’ve played in the 15-18 division, and it’s really a great achievement for me to win,” she said.

“I’m proud that I did my best and was able to catch up from eight strokes down.”

Holding a slim one-shot lead after 36 holes, Serdenia capitalized on Suzuki’s early struggles, widening the gap with a front-nine 37 on a two-bogey, one-birdie card.

Suzuki stumbled with four bogeys against a lone birdie.

Serdenia opted for a conservative approach on the back nine, aiming for pars and allowing Suzuki the opportunity to mount a comeback.

But the rally came too late.

“I was really nervous heading into the back nine. Even with a three-stroke lead, I knew Shinichi was playing well,” said Serdenia in Filipino.

“But I told myself that if I could just stick to my par game, I’d have a chance.”

And he did just that.

“My putting came through, and my up-and-down game was solid,” he said, thanking the Lord, his mother, and his supporters for their unwavering support.

“I hope to give you all another win in the upcoming tournaments,” said Serdenia, who plays out of the Philippine Navy Golf Club.

Both Serdenia and Talion now join the list of winners from the first Luzon leg, including 7-10 age group topnotchers Zach Guico and Mavis Espedido, and 11-14 division champions Ryuji Suzuki and Lisa Sarines.

Serdenia and Talion also earned world ranking points at the event, which served as a counting tournament for the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

The second stage of the nationwide series, sponsored by ICTSI, will be held at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite from April 22 to 24.

The third leg is set for Splendido Taal from April 28 to 30, with each stop crucial in determining the rankings.

As part of the national talent search, the series will culminate in the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals.

The top four players from each division in the Luzon and VisMin series will qualify.

To earn a finals slot, players must join at least three events, with those earning the highest points in each series securing their spots.

Players are limited to one series, based on either residence or birthplace.

This ensures fairness and structure, requiring athletes to navigate regional legs to reach the finals.

The nationwide tour next heads to the VisMin Series, beginning in Mactan, Cebu from May 5 to 7.

Other VisMin stops include Negros Occidental and Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Murcia.

The tour then moves to Mindanao, where a four-leg swing starts June 25 at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.