LUBAO, Pampanga. – Zianbeau Edoc bolstered his bid for a finals berth with a composed frontside effort and a strong closing stretch, closing out with back-to-back birdies to salvage a one-under 71 and seize the lead in the boys’ 11-14 division of the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship on Tuesday.
Edoc’s late surge came as Race Manhit, who had led for most of the day under scorching conditions at the Pinatubo course of the expansive Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club, stumbled with a final-hole bogey to card a 74. He fell into a tie for second with Jacob Casuga and Vito Sarines.
The thrilling finish capped a day-long scramble for control – not just of the 36-hole tournament, the penultimate leg of the seven-stage Luzon series – but also for valuable ranking points needed to qualify for the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals slated for Oct. 7–10 at The Country Club in Laguna.
Despite missing the first four legs, Edoc – currently ranked No. 7 – remains mathematically in the race for a Top 4 spot, having marked his JPGT debut with a dominant win over Casuga at Riviera two weeks ago, worth 15 points. Another victory this week would significantly bolster his finals hopes heading to the final leg at Camp John Hay in Baguio next week.
Still, he’ll have to hold off strong contenders in Wednesday’s final round. Sarines, Casuga and Manhit – who are ranked second to fourth behind frontrunner Ryuji Suzuki – are all expected to mount a final-round charge in what’s shaping up to be a down-to-the-wire finish among the rising stars of Philippine golf.
“I wasn’t really doing anything too much – just simple golf,” said Edoc, 13, reflecting on a round marred by missed putts on unpredictable greens. “I just got lucky with those late birdies.”
While trailing Manhit coming into the final holes, Edoc kept his focus. “I didn’t care about the other players’ scores. They’re really fun to play with, but I just focused on my game,” he added.
To complete a back-to-back title run and stay in finals contention in the series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., Edoc plans to take a more aggressive approach on the greens. “They’re not really that fast. I was reading every short. I’ll try to go for every putt tomorrow.”
The Sarines twins, meanwhile, continue to dominate the girls’ 11–14 division, with Mona carding a 71 to edge ahead of sister Lisa by one stroke. The duo aim to solidify their 1-2 ranking and formalize their stint in the finals.
“It’s nice playing here at Pradera Verde – it’s easier to aim at the pins on the front nine,” said Mona, who birdied three of her last seven holes after opening with a two-over-par start from No. 10 on a birdie and a three-bogey miscue.
“I’m going to try for another win and hope to shoot better tomorrow,” added Mona, who placed second to Lisa in the first two legs but swept the next three.
Kendra Garingalao, ranked third, shot a 78 for solo third, followed by Alexie Gabi (79), Marqaela Dy (81), and Eliana Dumalaog (85).
Mavis Espedido, on the other hand, extended her incredible run in the girls’ 7–10 division with a four-under 70, moving within striking distance of a fourth straight leg victory in the 36-hole tournament.
Opening with three straight birdies, Espedido turned in a 34-36 round and built a four-shot cushion over Ronee Dungca.
“This is my first time playing here at Pinatubo, and it’s an amazing experience,” said Espedido, who trains at Anvaya Cove. “I felt relaxed after those birdies – it boosted my confidence.”
Dungca, who didn’t play in the first four legs, marked her debut with a win at Riviera two weeks ago and stayed within reach after back-to-back birdies to close with a 74. She’ll need to win the last two legs to crack the Top 4 and make the finals, as she currently ranks No. 7 with 15 points.
Venus delos Santos, ranked fifth, posted a 75 for third, while Penelope Sy struggled with an 84, putting her No. 4 ranking in jeopardy.
Fresh off his victory at Riviera, Zoji Edoc continued his winning ways with a 76 to build an eight-shot lead in the boys’ 7–10 division.
He gunned down two birdies against two bogeys at the front nine and weathered a rough back nine (39) to stay on top.
“I played very well on the front nine but had a bad score on the last nine. Tomorrow, I’ll just focus on every shot,” said the younger Edoc.
Halo Pangilinan (84) and Korean Sooreen Lee (85) trail in second and third, respectively.
In the premier 15-18 category, set over 54- holes, Zachary Villaroman holed out with a birdie on the ninth to rescue a 73 and grab a one-stroke lead over Jose Carlos Taruc, who closed with three birdies in the last four holes for a 74.
Nathan Belandres and Kristoffer Nadales shared third with 80s, while Alonso Espartero, Andres Fabie, and Rodrigo Lim struggled in the heat with rounds of 85, 86, and 87, respectively.
In the girls’ centerpiece division, Korean Seeun Pak stole the spotlight in her JPGT debut, firing an 86 to grab a one-stroke lead over Chole Rada (87). Angelica Bañez and Tiffany Bernardino were close behind with identical 88s.
“It’s my first time to join the JPGT and it’s a good experience for my future,” said the Angeles City-based Pak, 18, who plays out of Mimosa Plus. “I just plan to play calmly and without pressure.”
