LUBAO, Pampanga. — Ronee Dungca proved her breakout performance in the Riviera leg reflected her true ability as she staged a stirring comeback from four shots down, then held her nerve at the finish to edge Mavis Espedido by one and clinch the girls’ 7-10 crown in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship here Wednesday.
Showing poise and precision beyond her years, the rising star from Angeles City came out firing at Pradera Verde’s Pinatubo course, birdieing four of her first 10 holes. She hit another birdie on the 12th but wavered coming home with bogeys on Nos. 13 and 16 to card a 69, completing a two-day total of 143.
Espedido, who held a commanding four-shot lead after an opening 70, launched a late charge with a birdie-eagle run from No. 16 to momentarily reclaim the lead. But a costly double bogey on the 18th saw her finish with a 74 for a 144 total – handing Dungca the victory.
Dungca’s final-round performance followed a clutch opening 74, which she capped with back-to-back birdies to gain momentum entering the final day of the 36-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
“I focused more on my short game, and it really paid off with a good score,” said 9-year-old Dungca from OB Montessori, Angeles City.
Despite a strong finish from Espedido, Dungca said she didn’t feel any pressure.
“I just stayed relaxed, focused, and enjoyed the game,” she said, though she admitted frustration over two late bogeys due to shaky chip shots and putting.
Espedido’s title hopes faded early after she bogeyed the fifth and double-bogeyed the par-5 sixth. Though she birdied the 10th and fought back with a strong finish, the closing misstep on the last hole proved decisive.
Venus delos Santos settled for third at 151 after a 76, followed by Penelope Sy who hit a late birdie to save an 80 and finish fourth at 164. Tyra Garingalao also carded an 80 to end up fifth at 167.
With one leg remaining in the seven-stage Luzon series – set at Camp John Hay in Baguio City next week – the battle for the final three spots in the Elite Junior Finals in the girls’ 7-10 division is shaping up to be a thrilling finish.
In the boys’ youngest category, Zoji Edoc claimed his second straight leg title – and third overall – with a commanding 11-stroke romp over Halo Pangilinan. He slowed down with a 78 for a 154 total, while Pangilinan settled for second with an 81 for 165. Korean Sooreen Lee finished third at 170 after another 85.
“What I learned today is to focus more on each shot and make solid contact,” said Zoji Edoc, who managed to win despite struggling all day with his long game and irons.
In the boys’ 11-14 class, Zianbeau Edoc kept his slim finals hopes alive, claiming a second straight win after missing the first four legs. He fired a 70 to post a 141 total and held off Vito Sarines, who closed with a 69 but fell two shots short at 143.
Race Manhit matched par 72 for third at 146, while Jacob Casuga and Jacobo Gomez followed with 151 and 153 after 77 and 78, respectively.
“I was making more putts today and hitting my wedges closer to the pin,” said Zianbeau, who overcame a rough start – a triple-bogey 7 on No. 10 after an out-of-bounds drive – by rebounding with five birdies throughout the round.
“I’ve learned the importance of starting strong and reading the greens better,” he added.
Lisa Sarines, meanwhile, turned in a sizzling 68 to overtake twin sister Mona and claim her third leg title in the girls’ 11-14 category with a four-under 140 total. Mona, who opened with a 71, matched that score on Day 2 to finish at 142.
“It feels very refreshing and relieving,” said Lisa of her victory. “I’ve been working harder and harder with my coach.”
She fired five birdies to offset a lone bogey on No. 14, where a misjudgment of the wind led to a three-putt.
“I’ll just keep practicing and grinding,” added Lisa, outlining her commitment to improving and getting stronger.
Kendra Garingalao bounced back from a 78 with a 73 to clinch third at 151, reinforcing her hold on the No. 3 spot in the division rankings behind the Sarines sisters.
Korean standout Seeun Pak inched closer to a spectacular Junior PGT debut, pulling away by nine over Chloe Rada with a second-round 78 for a 164 total in the 54-hole girls’ 15-18 division contest.
Pak, an 18-year-old from Mimosa Plus, delivered a rare highlight with a hole-in-one on the 146-yard second hole using an 8-iron Ping and a ProV1x 3 ball. The ace came just after she double-bogeyed the first hole.
For her feat, Pak received a certificate, vouchers and P5,000 cash from the host club, represented by Mike Singgaran and Golf Operations manager Joey Seran.
Rada struggled with an 86 to fall back at 173, while Tiffany Bernardino shot an 89 for 177. Angelica Bañez followed with a 94 for 182.
In the boys’ 15-18 division, Zachary Villaroman surged ahead with a strong frontside finish, highlighted by an eagle and a birdie, en route to a two-under-par 70 and a 36-hole total of 143.
Building on his overnight one-shot lead over Jose Carlos Taruc, Villaroman extended the gap to six strokes with 18 holes remaining.
After carding two birdies and three bogeys early on, Villaroman bounced back with an eagle on the par-5 No. 6, then followed it up with a birdie on No. 9 for the second consecutive day to turn in a 34-36 scorecard.
“I made a lot more short putts today compared to yesterday, and I made an eagle,” said 17-year-old Villaroman, now on the verge of clinching a first-leg title after previously finishing runner-up and placing third three times in the series.
“I’m confident I’ve prepared well enough to win tomorrow,” added Villaroman, who delivered a stellar 3-wood second shot from 270 yards on No. 6, landing it just three feet from the cup for a tap-in eagle.
Taruc, who opened with a 74, faltered with a 75 for a 149 total, dropping six shots off the pace. Kristoffer Nadales settled for a 77 to take solo third at 157, while Andres Fabie also posted a five-over round to finish fourth at 163.
