Tamayo, Batican Lead Mindanao Sweep at JPGT Mactan

MACTAN Island – What began as tightly contested matches ended in commanding wins as Brittany Tamayo and Ralph Batican dominated the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday.

Early morning rain softened the Mactan Island Golf Course, adding length and difficulty for finalists in the four age-group divisions.

Despite the challenging conditions, Day 2 produced standout performances and momentum swings in the opening leg of the seven-part Visayas-Mindanao Series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Tamayo and Batican topped the 11-14 age group, each winning in distinct fashion.

Tamayo, a rising golfer from South Cotabato, overtook overnight leader Zuri Bagaloyos of Mandaue to win the girls’ title with a closing 73 and a 36-hole total of 150.

Bagaloyos carded a final-round 79, including a costly triple bogey on the par-4 No. 8, and finished second at 155.

Margaux Espina placed third with an 82 for 159, followed by Rafella Batican’s 79 for 160.

Tamayo, 13, said she had to adjust to the wet course conditions.

“The fairways were wet, so the ball wouldn’t roll, and the greens were quite receptive,” she said.

Looking ahead to the finals, Tamayo said focus will be key, though she has yet to decide which legs she’ll join in the remaining Vis-Min Series events.

“I know I can do more,” she added, citing focus, hard work, self-confidence and a positive mindset as keys to her win.

On the boys’ side, Batican led from start to finish and pulled away with five birdies and only two bogeys over 11 holes.

A second straight birdie on the par-5 15th highlighted his three-under 65, marred only by a final-hole miscue, for a four-shot win with a 136 total.

Ken Guillermo made a late push that included an eagle on the 15th, matching Batican’s 65, but finished runner-up at 140.

South Cotabato’s Jared Saban shot an even-par 68 to place third at 141 in the 36-hole event sponsored by ICTSI.

“I had to adjust my yardage since the fairways had no roll,” said the 13-year-old Batican from Bukidnon.

“I visualized my shots and focused on ball placement,” he added.

A protégé of golf legend Frankie Miñoza, Batican said he aims to fine-tune his game ahead of the North vs. South finals, where he expects strong competition from Luzon.

In the youngest girls’ division, Cebuana Denise Mendoza cruised to a 15-stroke win over Sistine Marie Yu despite a shaky final-round 84 after her opening 76.

Mendoza, last year’s JPGT Match Play winner, finished with a 160 total after a round that included three birdies, four bogeys, a double bogey, three triple bogeys and a quadruple bogey.

Yu, who trailed by 19 after Day 1, couldn’t mount a comeback and finished second at 175 following an 80.

Skye Yocte placed third at 199 after a 97, while Avery Go rounded out the group with a 227 following a 107.

In the boys’ 7-10 division, Davao’s Ethan Lago pulled away from Kvan Alburo to win by 11 strokes.

Tied after the opening round, Lago took control with a steady 41 on the front nine, then capitalized on Alburo’s quadruple bogey on No. 10.

Lago closed with a second 78 for a 156 total, while Alburo, one of last year’s standouts, shot an 89 for a 167 and second place.

James Rolida of Cagayan de Oro also posted an 89 to finish third at 171.

Mendoza and Lago said improved driving helped secure their titles and credited family support for their strong showings.

“I hit my drives straight and far,” said Mendoza, a 10-year-old from Cebu Learning Center, who noted her focus is on improving putting and approach shots ahead of the next leg in Negros Occidental.

She also shared a key lesson: “If you panic, your game will suffer.”

“My drives were all straight,” echoed Lago, an 8-year-old from Ateneo de Davao, who confirmed he will play in the upcoming legs in Negros and Bacolod.

In the girls’ premier 15-18 division, Tashanah Balangauan and Bukidnon’s Alexis Nailga pulled away from close races with strong frontside rounds.

Balangauan shot a one-over 36 on the front nine en route to a second straight 73 and a 36-hole total of 146.

The 15-year-old, who plays out of Cebu Country Club, Alta Vista and Club Filipino, took a seven-shot lead over Crista Miñoza of Bukidnon, who bounced back from a 79 with a 74 for 153.

Davao’s Precious Zaragosa remained in third after a 76 for 154, while Lois Laine Go fell to fourth at 156 following an 83.

“I just noted that the greens would be slower and there would be less roll,” said Balangauan.

“But I still focused on every shot,” she added, emphasizing her steady mindset in her JPGT debut.

“There are no expectations, but I will do my very best,” she said.

In the boys’ 15-18 division, Nailga broke a tie with Nyito Tiongko with a frontside 34 that included two birdies and one bogey.

He carded a 69 for a 146 total and a five-stroke win after a composed back nine.

Tiongko shot a 74 for 151 and placed second.

Zeus Suzara and Inno Flores tied for third at 162 after rounds of 75 and 82, respectively.

“My driving, chipping and putting all clicked,” said Nailga, 15, from Del Monte.

He added that his strategy was to focus on hitting fairways and greens while staying composed under pressure.

The wins by Lago, Tamayo and Batican highlighted Mindanao’s early dominance in the Vis-Min Series, with Nailga now in position to add another title in the boys’ 15-18 class.