Gialon rises above the heat, wins JPGT Apo

DAVAO, Philippines – Aldrien Gialon overcame a disastrous quadruple bogey on the par-5 No. 3 with a determined series of pars and birdies, securing a commanding lead and ultimately clinching the boys' 16-18 category title by 10 with a 76 in the ICTSI JPGT Mindanao Series I at Apo Golf and Country Club on Friday.

Gialon's brilliant finish, highlighted by two birdies in the last six holes, helped him outgun his rivals, who had been pressing their bids throughout the final round under sweltering conditions.

Despite the pressure, Adrian Bisera and Rainier Tagwalan failed to match Gialon's fiery finish, settling for the runner-up and third place finishes after 81 and 85, respectively, in the premier division of the four-age category series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Gialon closed with 40-36, following three rounds of 78, to assemble a 72-hole total of 310, earning a remarkable 10-stroke victory over his cousin, Bisera.

In contrast, Bisera stumbled with three bogeys in the same stretch where Gialon showcased his killer instinct, finishing second with 38-43 for a 320, while Tagwalan struggled on the back nine, which he played in 8-over, ending with a 41-44 for a total of 323.

Kenly Wacan placed fourth with a 331 after an 84 while Gian Bullecer carded an 81 to finish fifth with 332.

The 18-year-old Gialon's performance, marked by resilience and skill, secured him a well-deserved victory in the challenging conditions of the 72-hole tournament sponsored by ICTSI.

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«There was pressure in the first three holes, but I didn't lose my composure after the quadruple bogey on No. 3,» said Gialon, referring to the setback that allowed Bisera to close within one stroke.

«As the competition tightened, I became more focused,» said Gialon, who had driven out of bounds, landed in bunkers twice and three-putted on the third hole.

He bounced back from that misstep and a bogey on No. 4 by birdieing the fifth hole and then stringing together four pars, finishing the front nine with a 40.

Meanwhile, Bisera failed to capitalize fully, dropping strokes on Nos. 6 and 7 and finishing with a 38, enabling Gialon regain a comfortable three-stroke cushion at the turn.

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