MANILA, Philippines - Reigning world 11-12 champion Ruperto Zaragoza routed Rogerio Roque, 4&3, yesterday to advance to the round-of-16 of the Philippine Junior Closed Championship at theAlabang Golf Club.
The Canlubang bet gained control early and never looked back to cruise to the next round against Kristopher Arevalo in the event presented by Pancake House and SOC Land.
Gabriel Manotoc and JP De Claro figured in closely fought matches with the former scoring a 1-up victory over Santi Lorenzo over 19 holes and the latter needing three extra holes to fend off GJ Katigbak.
Manotoc next faces Jama Reyes, the qualifying round topnotcher and fellow club member, who beat Jaime Oposa, 6&5, in the first round of the event backed by the Herma Group, Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf.
De Claro drew the long-hitting Miggy Yee as a second round foe after the Southwoods regular in the PAK Interclub defeated Ryan Monsalve, 4&3.
Gio Gandiongco, 15, also advanced with a 3&2 win over Ryu Yasuma, while lefty Andres Saldana breezed past his opening round foe, 4&3 over Don Petil.
Other opening round winners in the event organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines were Eric Gallardo (3&1 over Christopher Popp), Basti Lorenzo (4&3 over Lanz Uy), Miguel Shah (6&5 over Dan Cruz), Lloyd Go (4&3 over Packing Carlos), Justin Quiban (2&1 over Paolo Uy), Agustin Mata (8&6 over Ivan Monsalve), AR Ramos (6&4 over Adrian Romero) and Aris Mata (6&4 over Raymart Tolentino).