Regional bets dominate PGT match play

STA. ROSA, Laguna, Philippines — Regional players turned in commanding performances in the ICTSI Junior PGT National Match Play Finals, capturing six of the eight titles disputed at The Country Club here on Friday.

Cebu’s Kvan Alburo and Denise Mendoza swept the 8-9 age category titles in contrasting styles. Alburo had a commanding 5&3 win over Quezon City’s Michael Ray Hortel II for the boys’ title.

In contrast, Mendoza pulled off a hard-fought 2&1 win against top seed Winter Serapio from Sampaloc for the girls’ crown.

Ralph Batican also emerged victorious, defeating Silang, Cavite’s Vito Sarines, 3&2, to claim the boys’ 10-12 title. Fellow Bukidnon standout Clement Ordeneza followed suit, stopping Marikina’s Jose Carlos Taruc, 4&3, performance in the boys’ 13-15 finals.

In the girls’ 16-18 category, Cagayan de Oro’s Ally Gaccion scored a 4&3 victory over Southwoods’ Lia Duque, while South Cotabato’s Brittany Tamayo secured a dramatic 1-up win on the 19th hole against Aerin Chan after a back-and-forth battle in the girls’ 10-12 class.