STA. ROSA, Laguna. — Team North flexed its muscle across multiple divisions, seizing control of the competition with eight wins out of 12 matches in the opening Four-ball format of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior Championship at The Country Club here on Wednesday.
What began as a tightly contested showdown between Luzon’s finest junior golfers and the top talents from the Visayas-Mindanao region quickly evolved into a dominant performance by the North squad, which handled the pressure and pace of the day with poise despite the punishing heat.
As the dust settled at noon, Team North established a commanding 8-4 lead – an emphatic opening statement in the season-ending showdown of a year-long junior golf tour that featured seven tournaments in each region. Played at some of the country’s premier championship courses, the tour culminates in this Ryder Cup-style North vs South battle.
Team North captain Francis Talion attributed their strong Day 1 performance to careful planning, preparation and a deep understanding of both their own players and the opposing team’s potential lineup.
“Basically, we started by making critical projections on how the other team might compose their roster for Day 1 – that’s what we based our own lineup on,” said Talion, who also took the time to study each of their players’ personalities and how well their playing styles would complement one another.
“Of course, we didn’t just consider their skills, but also their personalities, to ensure strong on-court chemistry and effective partnerships,” he added.
The girls’ 7-10 pairings struck first blood for Team North. Athena Serapio and Ronee Dungca delivered a strong 3&2 win over Soleil Molde and Claren Quiño, while Mavis Espedido and Tyra Garingalao overwhelmed Denise Mendoza and Francesca Geroy with a 4&3 victory. These early wins set the tone for the North’s momentum.
While the Four-ball format – where each player plays their own ball and the best score per hole counts – often introduces a layer of unpredictability, it was Team North that adapted best. The format rewards aggressive shot-making and strong chemistry between partners, creating opportunities for dramatic swings in momentum. But it was North’s consistency and composure under pressure that stood out, limiting the South squad’s chances to rally.
With Team North holding a commanding lead after Day 1, Talion hinted at minimal changes for Day 2, when action shifts to Foursomes, emphasizing the importance of team familiarity.
“It’s all about chemistry. One of the key factors for Day 2 will be the lessons from today – what worked, what didn’t, and how the team handled different moments,” said Talion.
“We do have a few players who aren’t feeling 100 percent, so there will be some minor adjustments. But overall, we’ll aim to stay consistent based on their strong performance,” he said.
Even in divisions where South showed flashes of resistance, North’s pairings remained in control. Zach Guico and Halo Pangilinan cruised to a 5&4 romp in the boys’ 7-10 division, toppling Lucas Revilleza and James Rolida.
South’s Ethan Lago and Kvan Alburo, however, foiled Zoji Edoc and Asher Abad, 3&2, in the other match.
In the boys’ 11-14 category, Zianbeau Edoc and Jacob Casuga outplayed South’s top gun Ralph Batican and Marcus Dueñas, 5&4, while Vito Sarines and Ryuji Suzuki smothered South’s Jared Saban and Ken Guillermo, 3&2.
The Sarines twins – Mona and Lisa – extended their winning streaks with impressive victories alongside different partners. Mona teamed up with Kendra Garingalao to edge out Brittany Tamayo and Kimberly Baroquillo, 2&1, while Lisa, paired with Alexie Gabi, matched the feat with a 2&1 win over Rafella Batican and Zuri Bagaloyos. Their performances secured yet another sweep for the North in the girls’ 11-14 category.
Team South staged a stunning comeback in the final match of the day, as Eric Jeon drained a clutch pitch-in birdie on the challenging No. 18. The dramatic finish lifted his pairing with Mhark Fernando III to a thrilling 1-up victory over North’s Zach Villaroman and Jakob Taruc.
Trailing by two with just five holes to play, Jeon and Fernando mounted a spirited rally in the closing holes to square the match after 17 holes before Jeon’s brilliant birdie sealed the deal on the final green, earning loud cheers from South supporters.
“I hit a good drive, but my approach came up a bit short. Still, I read the line perfectly from 23 yards and pitched it in for birdie,” said Jeon. His clutch finish and the dramatic turnaround could prove pivotal, giving South a surge of confidence and much-needed momentum heading into Day 2, especially after trailing by as many as six matches earlier in the day.
Patrick Tambalque and Kristoffer Nadales delivered the eighth win for North with an emphatic 5&3 romp over Alexis Nailga and Armand Copok in the other boys’ 15-18 match.
