STA. ROSA, Laguna. – Inno Flores of Bacolod delivered the standout performance of the day in the ICTSI Junior PGT National Match Play Finals, eliminating top seed AJ Wacan 3 and 1 to secure a spot in the semifinals of the boys’ 13-15 division at The Country Club here Thursday.
Flores, who battled his way through a playoff for the final quarterfinals spot, carried that momentum into his match, taking early control at the back nine and maintaining his dominance throughout to pull off a surprise win over the Davao-based Wacan, who topped the stroke play eliminations with an impressive 72.
Flores now faces Jose Carlos Taruc of Marikina, who dispatched John Majgen Gomez 4 and 3.
On the other side of the bracket, Clement Ordeneza of Bukidnon and Armand Copok of Manila will compete for the other finals berth in the series sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Ordeneza cruised past Nyito Tiongko of Cebu 8 and 6 while Copok overpowered John Paul Agustin Jr. of Las Piñas 6 and 4.
In the boys’ 16-18 division, Biñan’s Zachary Villaroman outlasted Simon Wahing of Bukidnon in a nail-biting match, winning the final hole, No. 9, to barge into the semis against Davao’s Aldrien Gialon, who edged Bacolod’s John Paul Oro 1-up.
Top seed Mark Kobayashi of Parañaque rolled over Bukidnon’s Cliff Nuñeza 5 and 4, setting up a much-anticipated semifinal clash with Cavite’s Patrick Tambalque, who beat John Rey Oro of Bacolod 4 and 2.
In the boys’ 10-12 division, Quezon City’s Javie Bautista and Vito Sarines of Silang pulled off dramatic 1-up victories over Ryuji Suzuki and Jared Saban, respectively. Bautista capitalized on Suzuki’s three-putt mishap on No. 17 to book a semis duel with Ralph Batican of Bukidnon, who overcame early struggles to rout Inigo Gallardo of QC 7 and 6.
Sarines advanced against top seed Race Manhit of Pasig after beating Saban 1-up. Manhit received a bye after topping the stroke play rankings.
Top seed Ally Gaccion dominated with a 9 and 8 win over one-armed golfer Necky Tortosa of Iloilo in a girls’ 16-18 victory that was more than just a triumph on the scoreboard but a moment of inspiration and realization for the Cagayan de Oro lass.
“Playing with Necky was incredibly inspiring. She has the power to motivate not just me, but many aspiring golfers,” said Gaccion. “Despite hitting the ball with just one hand, regardless of the distance, she never gave up. That resilience is something special, and it made me even more grateful for the many blessings in life.”
The victory also lined up Gaccion for an explosive match with Cebu’s Apple Gotiong, who overpowered Angelica Bañez at the backside to fashion out a 5 and 3 victory.
No. 2 seed Lia Duque of Southwoods advanced to the semis of the girls’ premier division with a commanding 7 and 5 win over Rhiena Sinfuego of Iloilo. Duque will meet Rafa Anciano of Mandaluyong, who staged a comeback from 2-down to edge Del Monte’s Crista Miñoza 1-up.
In the girls’ 10-12 class, top seed Brittany Tamayo of South Cotabato smothered Bacolod’s Chelsea Ogborne 8 and 6, to seal a face-off with Maurysse Abalos of Mandaluyong, who drove past Cebuana Kelsey Bernardino 4 and 3, while Aerin Chan, also from Mandaluyong, toppled Casedy Cuenca of QC 6 and 5, for an interesting semis matchup with Quincy Pilac of Pasay, who upended Bukidnon’s Rafella Batican 4 and 2.
The girls’ 13-15 division saw twins Mona and Lisa Sarines on a potential collision course for the finals. Mona cruised past Rane Chiu of Cebu 7 and 6, while Lisa dominated Levonne Talion of Calamba 6 and 5.
Top seed Precious Zaragosa of Laguna fended off Tiffany Bernardino of Makati 3 and 2, setting up a semis clash with Lisa. Zero Plete of Cagayan de Oro secured a thrilling 1-up win over Davao’s Johanna Uyking to face Mona in the other semifinal.
In the boys’ 8-9 division, Jesus Yambao of Pasig and Cagayan de Oro’s Shaqeeq Tanog upset higher-seeded opponents to advance. Yambao defeated CDO’s James Rolida 3 and 2, while Tanog edged Cebu’s Tobias Tiongko 1-up.
Yambao now faces top seed Kvan Alburo, while Tanog takes on No. 2 Michael Ray Hortel II, with the winners meeting for the title in the afternoon.
In the girls’ 8-9 division, Taguig’s Tyra Garingalao breezed past Baguio’s Amiya Tablac 6 and 5, earning the final semifinal spot. She will challenge top seed Winter Serapio of Sampaloc, while Eliana Mendoza of Cebu battles CDO’s Francesca Geroy in the other semifinal matchup.
