Yocte repels Go, claims JPGT Mactan title; Lago, Batican, Dy triumph

LAPU-LAPU City – Akeisha Yocte delivered a gutsy, character-filled performance under punishing heat and relentless pressure, outlasting Vanya Go in a nerve-wracking finish to capture the girls’ 7–10 title at the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship here on Thursday.

In a gripping duel that tightened coming down the stretch at the Mactan Island Golf Club, Yocte battled her way to an 82 to secure a two-stroke victory, finishing with a 159 total in a 36-hole contest that tested composure as much as skill.

Yocte and Go stepped onto the par-4 18th tied at 22-over, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Yocte kept her poise, salvaging a bogey from the bunker, while Go faltered under pressure, carding a triple-bogey 7 after a costly exchange from one bunker to another.

Go settled for an 80 and a 161 total.

“I feel good — and much better,” said the 9-year-old Yocte, who also relied on her familiarity with the course to pull off the hard-fought victory in the kickoff leg of the JPGT Visayas-Mindanao Series.

“This win boosted my confidence and taught me important lessons about staying focused and bouncing back from every setback or challenge,” she added.

Earlier, Go erased a four-shot deficit and surged ahead with a clutch birdie on the par-3 12th, capitalizing on Yocte’s costly stumble on No. 13. But the battle was far from over.

A missed up-and-down on No. 16 dropped Go back into a tie, setting the stage for a tense finale between the two young contenders.

With everything hanging in the balance, Yocte showed maturity beyond her years.

Zoey Mascariñas briefly made it a three-way race with a 41 at the turn, but back-to-back bogeys and a disastrous triple bogey on No. 13 knocked her out of contention, leaving Yocte and Go to battle it out to the finish. Mascariñas carded a second 81 for 162 to place third.

Earlier, Davao’s Ethan Lago turned a tight contest into a runaway victory in the boys’ 7–10 class, unleashing a decisive birdie-eagle burst from No. 14 to transform a slim two-shot lead into a commanding five-shot triumph. He closed with a 71 for a 146 total.

Lucas Revilleza, who kept the pressure on throughout, birdied the 15th but bogeyed the next before holing out with a birdie for the second straight day to finish with a 74 and a 151 aggregate. Darren Ong placed third at 175 after an 88.

“I’m proud of myself because I made an eagle on No. 15, and my putting was really good,” said the 8-year-old Lago from Ateneo de Davao, recalling how his drive on the par-5 15th veered to the right. But he recovered with a solid wedge shot that landed within 5 feet, setting up the eagle putt.

Lago now looks ahead to the possibility of back-to-back wins at Alta Vista next week, carrying with him an important lesson: “Never give up and always chase your dreams.”

In the boys’ 11–14 division, Bukidnon’s Ralph Batican completed a wire-to-wire victory with an even-par 68, highlighted by four birdies, to secure a three-stroke victory at 142. Ken Guillermo finished second at 145 after a 70, while Mico Woo carded a 74 for third at 151.

“I’m satisfied with my score today compared to the first round,” said Batican, noting that his even-par finish was six shots better than his previous round, which had given him only a narrow one-stroke lead.

“I feel great and happy winning the first leg of the Vis-Min series, but I won’t be able to compete at Alta Vista due to a prior commitment,” he added.

Marqaela Dy was equally impressive in the girls’ 11–14 category, overpowering the field with a closing 75 to win by five strokes at 146. Zuri Bagaloyos placed second at 151 after a 77, while Rafella Batican snatched third place at 155 after a 74.

“Winning on a course as challenging as Mactan makes this victory even more special,” said the 13-year-old standout from Singapore School Cebu, who calls Cebu Country Club her home course. “I struggled with my overall game today, especially on the greens, where my putts just wouldn’t drop.”

In the premier 15–18 division, Tashanah Balangauan also moved within 18 holes of a dominant victory in the girls’ division, posting a 76 for a total of 155 and a 13-shot lead over Apple Gotiong, who shot a 77 for 168. Lois Lane Go followed with an 81 for 172.

“I played better today than yesterday, though I still had a number of bad breaks. I started strong on the front nine but struggled on the back, so there’s definitely a lot to learn from as I prepare for the final round on Friday,” said Balangauan, who nearly scored an ace on No. 9, striking the pin before settling for a tap-in birdie.

“I believe I’m in a solid position, but my goal in the final round is to improve on my scores and perform at my very best,” she added.

On the boys’ side, Alexis Nailga all but secured the crown, doubling his overnight 10-shot lead, this time over David Gothong, after a 69 for a 135 total with one round remaining in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Nailga had earlier built a dominant 10-stroke advantage with a blistering 2-under 66 on Wednesday. The rising Bukidnon star appeared to ease his pace in Day 2 but still stayed firmly in control. Despite recording two double bogeys and a bogey on the front nine, he managed to extend his lead with four birdies and a steady run of pars for a 38-31.

Gothong carded a 76 to seize second spot at 155, while Ritchie Go skied to an 81 and slipped to joint third at 157 with Roman Tiongko, who shot a 77 at the par-68 military layout.

“My driving clicked, and I made a lot of putts today,” said Nailga, who fired four birdies to offset double bogeys on Nos. 1 and 9 after over-clubbing and under-clubbing, respectively. Despite holding a commanding lead, the 16-year-old Del Monte standout admitted he still expects some pressure in the final round but is confident he can stay composed from start to finish.