JPGT Pueblo golf finals: Dumalaog, Saban win thriller

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Eliana Dumalaog emerged victorious in a thrilling three-way battle for the girls’ 10-12 title, needing two extra holes to secure her win, while Jared Saban staged a stunning come-from-behind victory in the boys’ category in an action-packed ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 4 at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here Tuesday.

Dumalaog appeared poised to seal the victory in regulation but faltered with a double-bogey on the final hole, No. 9, ending her round with an 80. This stumble allowed Rafella Batican and Isabella Espina, who both carded 79s, to catch up, forcing a three-way tie at 161.

Returning to the par-4 ninth hole for the playoff, all three golfers managed pars on their first attempt. But it was Dumalaog who ultimately prevailed, sinking a 15-foot birdie putt while her opponents missed their birdie chances, clinching the hard-fought win.

"I was so nervous; my legs and hands were shaking during the playoff. But after I hit my drive, I felt pretty good — it was a solid shot, and I approached my second shot with confidence since I’ve practiced those kinds of shots. I was thrilled when I made the putt," said the 10-year-old Dumalaog.

Despite her victory, Dumalaog narrowly missed qualifying for the Match Play Championship, having only managed fifth-place finishes in her previous outings at South Pacific and Del Monte.

With Batican’s 30 points from her two victories in those tournaments and Brittany Tamayo’s playoff win at Apo and third-place finish at South Pacific (totaling 25 points), Batican and Tamayo secured the two spots for the Match Play finals set for Oct. 1-4 at The Country Club in Laguna.

In the boys’ 10-12 category, Saban also earned his place in the head-to-head finals with a brilliant come-from-behind victory, rallying from an eight-shot deficit to shoot a spectacular bogey-free 67 and surpass Ralph Batican by three strokes, finishing with a total of 146.

"I just stayed focused," said Saban, who was tied with Batican at three-over par overall as they approached the final two holes in separate flights.

Saban capitalized on the pressure, birdieing the par-5 17th, while Batican faltered with a double-bogey. This pivotal moment