TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite – Mavis Espedido launched her bid for a second straight title in impressive fashion, firing a 76 to seize a three-stroke lead over Venus Delos Santos in the girls’ 7-10 division at the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Junior PGT Championship here on Tuesday.

The nine-year-old standout from Anvaya Cove opened the 36-hole event much like she did at Eagle Ridge two weeks ago, where she posted a wire-to-wire victory, ultimately winning by 14 strokes in the first leg of the seven-stage Luzon series of the nationwide junior tour, which also features the VizMin series.

Despite her lead, Espedido wasn’t fully satisfied with her round of 37-39 under intense heat.
“My game was kind of bad. I kept getting bogeys and even had a double bogey,” she said, although her three birdies helped cushion the mistakes.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) I’ll try to bounce back and go for back-to-back wins so I can gain more points,” she added, vowing to stay focused and reduce errors in the final round of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Delos Santos also tallied three birdies but was undone by two bogeys, two double bogeys, and a quadruple bogey for a 79. Athena Serapio carded an 88 to fall 12 shots behind, while Penelope Sy, Tyra Garingalao and Amiya Tablac posted 90, 93 and 100, respectively.

In the boys’ 7-10 category, Zoji Edoc took a massive step toward redemption after narrowly missing out at Eagle Ridge. He shot an 81 to establish a commanding 17-stroke lead over Halo Pangilinan (98), with Michael Ray Hortel II (100) and Alexian Ching (102) trailing further behind.

Edoc’s highlight was a scrambling par on the seventh hole, where he chipped to tap-in range.
“Playing on this course isn’t bad, and I’ll try to break 81 tomorrow,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the 11-14 category, Vito Sarines moved within striking distance of victory, birdying the last hole to save a 76 and edge ahead of Eagle Ridge leg winner Ryuji Suzuki by one stroke. Suzuki staged a late rally with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to finish at 77, setting up a high-stakes final round.

Sarines, who tied for third in the previous leg, briefly lost his lead after bogeying the 17th but regained composure to birdie the 18th.
“My round could’ve been better, but I’m still very happy,” said the 12-year-old Sarines, who recorded four bogeys and a double bogey to go with two birdies.
“It wasn’t that windy, but it was so hot I got dizzy at one point. I just relied on my short game when my irons weren’t working,” added the rising star from Riviera Golf and Country Club.

Looking to secure the win and avenge his prior loss to Suzuki, Sarines vowed to “do my best, stay calm, stay focused, and hopefully score well.”

But Suzuki, just one stroke back, remains a major threat going into what promises to be a thrilling finish between two of the age group’s top contenders.

The girls’ 11-14 division turned into a thrilling sibling showdown, as twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines carded identical 77s in a dramatic late-afternoon finish, pulling eight strokes clear of their nearest challenger, Keira Que.

Lisa, who routed Mona by 13 strokes at Eagle Ridge, faltered late with three closing bogeys, spoiling an impressive three-birdie blitz over a four-hole stretch from No. 12 and missing a chance to take the solo lead.

Mona, meanwhile, took control with a frontside 39 and managed to salvage a share of the lead despite bogeys on Nos. 11 and 16, steadying herself through the final two holes.

Que, who also struggled down the stretch, settled for an 85, while Kendra Garingalao and Althea Bañez shot 87 and 89, respectively.

Focus also shifted to the premier 15-18 category, where Patrick Tambalque capitalized on Zach Villaroman’s shaky finish to forge a tie for the boys’ lead with 76s.

Jose Carlos Taruc remained in close pursuit, just one shot back at 77, while John Paul Agustin, Jr. stayed in the hunt with a 79, and Rafael Leonio posted an 81, keeping the title race wide open heading into the final two rounds of the 54-hole tournament sponsored by ICTSI.

Villaroman, who finished third behind Charles Serdenia and Shinichi Suzuki in the tour’s opening leg, faltered with a double bogey on No. 17 and a closing bogey to end with a 37-39, squandering a chance to seize solo control.

Taruc remained within striking distance, parring the last four holes to card a 38-39, while Agustin kept himself within three shots of the leaders despite suffering double bogeys on Nos. 13 and 15.

In the girls’ 15-18 division, Angelica Bañez emerged on top after a turbulent round, posting a 95 despite bogeys on the final three holes. Her score was enough to take the lead as Levonne Talion struggled with a 96 marred by last two bogeys.

Rafa Anciano, who led most of the way, unraveled with a triple-bogey and double-bogey finish to third spot at 97.

“Putting saved my day,” said the 17-year-old Bañez from Forest Hills, crediting her resilience and the support of friends. “It’s super-hot so my thoughts were a bit off. But tomorrow I’ll play it safe and aim for pars and bogeys.”

It was another tough ending for Anciano, who previously lost an eight-shot lead to Talion in the final round at Eagle Ridge and fell in a playoff. 

Chloe Rada kept herself in contention with a 98, just two strokes off the lead. She missed the chance to tie or take the lead after a costly triple-bogey on No. 18.