North begins ‘Elite’ golf title defense

Apple Gotiong will be among the South’s stalwarts. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CAGAYAN DE ORO—The North and South begin a three-day battle for junior golf supremacy Tuesday as the ICTSI Elite Junior PGT Finals tees off at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

The Ryder Cup-style competition opens with four-ball matches before shifting to foursomes, or alternate shot, on Wednesday. Singles matches will decide the championship on Thursday.

Both teams reached the Finals after a six-leg regional qualifying campaign, with players competing in the 7-10, 11-14 and 15-18 age divisions.

The North enters the competition as defending champion after winning the inaugural showdown, 26 1/2-21 1/2, but the South will have home-course advantage as it tries to reverse last year’s result.

North coach Joey Anciano said composure and execution around the greens could determine the outcome of what he expects to be a close contest.

“Staying calm under pressure. Both teams are good, but the side that handles the close moments and makes key putts will win,” Anciano said. “Match play comes down to short game and sinking putts when it matters most. If we do that, we’ll be in good shape.”

In four-ball play, each golfer plays his or her own ball, with the lower score of each pair counting on a hole. Both teams are expected to lean on their strongest combinations in Tuesday’s opening matches as they try to build early momentum.

The North will field Winter Serapio, Jaicee Cervantes, Andrea Dee and Jehanne Mendoza in the girls’ 7-10 division, with Zach Guicio, Zoji Edoc, Kenzo Tan and Kingston Ching making up the boys’ side.

The South counters with Soleil Molde, Ana Marie Aguilar, Vanya Go and Akeisha Yocte in the girls’ competition, and Ethan Lago, Stephen Clementer, Lucas Revilleza and Darren Ong in the boys’ division.

In the 11-14 category, Cailey Gonzales, Georgina Handog, Mavis Espedido and Quincy Pilac lead the North girls, while Chan Ahn, Vito Sarines, Javie Bautista and Jacob Casuga comprise its boys’ lineup.

The South will rely on Marqaela Dy, Brittany Tamayo, Rafella Batican and Zuri Bagaloyos among the girls, and Ken Guillermo, Jared Saban, Ralph Batican and Mico Woo in the boys’ competition.

Lisa Sarines, Rafa Anciano, Mona Sarines and Kendra Garingalao will carry the North challenge in the girls’ 15-18 division against South’s Tashanah Balangauan, Precious Zaragosa, Apple Gotiong and Lois Lane Go.

In the boys’ premier division, North’s Shinichi Suzuki, Jakob Taruc, Nathan Belandres and Santi Asuncion face a South roster composed of Alexis Nailga, Sebastian Sajuela, Clement Ordeneza and Roman Tiongko.

Anciano said last year’s victory has only strengthened the North’s determination to retain the championship.

“The energy is high,” he said. “Winning last year makes us even more hungry to bring the trophy back home for Team North.”