JPGT Match Play: Pilac books berth; Ahn wins in playoff

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite – Quincy Pilac completed a wire-to-wire triumph in the girls’ 10-12 category with an 80, claiming a commanding 11-shot victory over Maurysse Abalos, while Chan Ahn edged out Ryuji Suzuki in sudden death to snare the boys’ title in the ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series 7 at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club here on Wednesday.

Pilac’s remarkable showing, including a first round 82, earned her not just the leg honors in the 36-hole competition for the first time with a 162 but also the third spot in the final standings for berths in the Match Play Championship. Absentee Aerin Chan and Abalos took the top two seats while Georgina Handog, who did not compete this week, finished fourth in the rankings.

Kelsey Bernardino, on the other hand, grabbed the lone spot in the girls’ 10-12 via the multi-series participation.

Abalos wound up with an 89 for a 173 while Althea Bañez shot an 87 for a 175.

In the Luzon series, the top four finishers from each division, including 8-9, 13-15 and 16-18, will advance to the finals set October 1-4 at The Country Club, along with the top two players from the Visayas and Mindanao series, and standout players from multiple series.

In boys’ 10-12, Ahn charged back with a 76 to force a tie at 154 as Suzuki wavered with an 80. But the former, who competed only in the last two legs, parred the first playoff hole on No. 1 in fading light to clinch the leg title against the latter’s bogey.

Javie Bautista finished third with 159 after a 78.

Despite the setback, Suzuki advanced to the finals, along with topnotcher Vito Sarines, Jose Luis Espinosa and Bautista.

The race for leg honors in 13-15 division is set for an exciting final round as Kendra Garingalao fired a 77 to tie with Precious Zaragosa, who shot a 78, both finishing at 157, setting stage is now set for a thrilling showdown over the final 18 holes in the girls’ competition.

Trailing behind is Montserrat Lapuz, who recorded an 85 for a 170, sitting 13 strokes back from the leaders.

“I improved a bit on my short game,” said Garingalao, who remains determined to secure a victory and claim the last spot in the finals. “I’ll just stay calm and confident tomorrow (Thursday).”

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