Tambalque, Anciano Triumph in JPGT Caliraya Championships

CAVINTI, Laguna – Patrick Tambalque turned the final round of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Junior PGT Championship into a virtual coronation, while Rafa Anciano staged a dramatic comeback to win the 15-18 division title Friday at Caliraya Springs Golf Club.

Holding a six-stroke lead over Zachary Villaroman after 36 holes, Tambalque played with calculated precision in the final round.

The Riviera Golf and Country Club standout capitalized on birdie opportunities while avoiding unnecessary risks, finishing with a 70 highlighted by two birdies in the last five holes for an eight-under 208 total and a commanding nine-shot win.

“It was a bit of a struggle on the front nine – I just wasn’t feeling it,” said Tambalque, who also won the Splendido Taal leg, the only other tournament he played in the Luzon series.

“But I gained momentum after a birdie on No. 11 and started sinking solid putts from one to two-pin lengths.”

Despite building a sizable lead, Tambalque remained focused as he prepared for a junior interclub tournament next week at his home course in Riviera.

“I wasn’t sure how things would turn out, even with the lead,” he said. “I just kept my expectations in check and stuck to my game plan.”

Kristoffer Nadales carded a bogey-free 66 for the best round of the day, earning runner-up honors in his first JPGT appearance with a 217 total.

His late surge relegated Villaroman and John Paul Agustin Jr. to third and fourth with matching 75s for 219 and 224, respectively.

Nadales, 15, bounced back from earlier rounds of 75 and 76, delivering a flawless final round to cap his campaign.

Two birdies on the front nine set the tone before he caught fire on the back nine, birdieing two of the first three holes and then sinking back-to-back birdies starting at No. 15.

He nearly finished with a seventh birdie, but his six-foot putt veered left after catching a rough patch on the green.

In the girls division, Anciano overcame a four-shot deficit at the start of the final round, showcasing resilience and competitive poise.

She opened with a birdie on the first hole, immediately applying pressure on overnight leader Chloe Rada, who stumbled with a bogey-double bogey-bogey start and failed to recover.

Anciano seized the lead early and never looked back.

The back-to-back winner at Sherwood Hills and Splendido Taal kept her composure even as Eagle Ridge leg champion Levonne Talion attempted a late rally.

Anciano closed with a 74 for a 54-hole total of 241, beating Talion, who shot a 78 for 244.

Rada faded with an 86 after carding double bogeys on Nos. 7 and 12, finishing third at 249.

Tiffany Bernardino completed the top four with an 83 for 252.

“Starting the round with a birdie was the best way to get going,” said Anciano.

“Even though I was four shots behind, I knew I could come back.”

She said her familiarity with the course gave her confidence despite a rough start to the tournament.

“I didn’t expect to play well, especially after feeling under the weather in the first round,” added Anciano, who had bogeyed the first hole in each of her first two rounds, scoring 85 and 82.

“But I managed to fight through it, and I’m really proud of myself.”

Tambalque and Anciano now join earlier winners Jacob Casuga and Mona Sarines (11-14 division), and Zach Guico and Winter Serapio (7-10 division), in the growing roster of champions in the ICTSI-launched circuit.

The Junior PGT, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., was launched in 2023 to provide young golfers with a platform to develop and showcase their talent.

With multiple wins in the Luzon series, Tambalque and Anciano have virtually secured their spots in the JPGT Elite Junior Finals.

The top four players from each age division will face off against the best from the Visayas-Mindanao leg in a North vs. South showdown set for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at The Country Club in Laguna.

Both players continue to earn valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking points, with the tournament sanctioned under the WAGR system, highlighting the high level of competition and significance of their victories.