Zaragosa, Sajuela lock up JPGT Elite Finals spots

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BACOLOD CITY – Precious Zaragosa completed a big late-season surge, securing a wire-to-wire victory in the ICTSI Negros JPGT Championship at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here on Wednesday to book her spot in the upcoming Junior PGT Elite Grand Finals.

By winning the final two legs of the six-stage Visayas-Mindanao Series, the rising Davaoeña star rocketed from the middle of the standings to a joint-first finish.

She and Tashanah Balangauan will headline a formidable South team in the girls’ 15-18 division, setting up a highly anticipated, Ryder Cup-style showdown against the North side this August in Cagayan de Oro.

Ranked fifth overall after her victory at the Pueblo de Oro leg last month, Zaragosa’s commanding performance at the par-70 Marapara layout this week propelled her to the top of the leaderboard.

She finished with 42 points, tying Cebuana standout Balangauan, who had already secured the first finals berth.

Zaragosa closed out her dominant Negros run with a final-round 74 for a 13-over-par 223 total over 54 holes.

In the boys’ final, Cebuano Sebastian Sajuela turned what had appeared to be a down-to-the-wire battle into a cruising victory.

Facing off against Del Monte’s Clement Ordeneza in hot and humid conditions, Sajuela clinched a two-stroke win, finishing with a 75 for a 224 total despite a double-bogey mishap on No. 18.

Apple Gotiong pulled to within two strokes of Zaragosa after an impressive frontside 36, putting pressure on the two-day leader.

After storming to a six-shot lead after 36 holes, Zaragosa faltered early, wavering with four bogeys in the first eight holes.

She, however, snapped her skid with a crucial birdie on the ninth, regaining her composure with a string of pars to start the back nine.

She pulled away by six again as Gotiong hobbled with three straight bogeys from No. 11.

Gotiong also finished with a 4-over card for a 229.

Despite her setback, the Cebuana successfully made it into the finals via the backdoor, raising her total to 36 points on the strength of three second-place finishes across the Vis-Min series.

Lois Laine Go shot a 79 to finish third at 242 and secure the third qualifying spot with 35 points, while Cagayan de Oro’s Mikela Guillermo, who placed fourth at 253 after an 81, grabbed the fourth and final ticket with 28 points.

Guillermo effectively dislodged erstwhile No. 4 Zero Plete, who surrendered her finals aspirations by skipping this final elimination leg.

“I felt the pressure mounting on the back nine when Apple cut the lead to just three shots,” Zaragosa said.

As she prepares for the grand finals using her tried-and-tested routine, Zaragosa is focused on being an ultimate team player.

“I hope to bring my A-game, while providing motivation and support to the rest of the South team.”

Zaragosa highly valued her time on the tour, noting that competing against top-tier talent has given her a massive confidence boost.

“The JPGT has been an incredible experience, especially getting to compete with so many talented players. It’s been a huge morale-booster,” she said.

Trailing Sajuela by just one shot after 36 holes in the boys’ division, Ordeneza forced an early tie with a birdie on the opening hole.

From there, the two went toe-to-toe in a fierce, shot-for-shot duel until the back nine, where Ordeneza stumbled with a costly bogey-triple bogey start.

Though Sajuela had his own missteps — wavering with consecutive bogeys from No. 11 — a clutch birdie on the 14th pushed his lead to three strokes.

He never looked back, while Ordeneza dropped another shot with a bogey on the 17th, ultimately finishing with a 76 for a 226 total.

Eddie Gonzales Jr. carded a 74 to place third at 230.

“I felt a lot of pressure, but I kept fighting and stuck to my game plan,” said the 17-year-old Sajuela of the Cebu Country Club.

“Clement is an exceptional player. I knew that if I lost focus for even a moment, winning this tournament would slip away.”

Looking ahead to the grand finals, Sajuela emphasized the importance of camaraderie for the upcoming North vs. South duel.

“I hope that as a team, we can truly come together as one, work through the challenges, and support each other — not just technically in our games, but mentally as well,” he said.

To prepare for the big showdown, Sajuela plans to compete in several tournaments across the United States.

“I’m going to train hard and hope to carry some good momentum into the finals,” said Sajuela, who also vowed to bring strong leadership and encouragement to the South squad.

“Team North is a tough opponent,” he added, reflecting on a JPGT experience he described as “great, fun and deeply fulfilling.”

Though both frontrunners had already locked up their spots in the grand finals — joining three-leg winner Alexis Nailga with 45 points and Bacolod champion Mhark Fernando III with 33 — they treated the final 18 holes like a true championship match.

With the victory, Sajuela walked away with 40 total points, while Ordeneza settled for 34.

Zaragosa and Ordeneza thus shared the winners’ podium with lower-division champions Ana Marie Aguilar and Darren Ong in the 7-10 division, as well as Ken Guillermo and Marqaela Dy in the 11-14 division, in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Meanwhile, the race for the remaining national finals slots shifts to Luzon, where the final leg of the Luzon Series will take place from June 17 to 19 at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in General Trias, Cavite.

The ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Finals will be held from Aug. 17 to 20 at Pueblo de Oro.