Manila, Philippines - Ruperto Zaragosa battled back from five holes down and fashioned out a 2-up victory over Eric Gallardo to reach the Final Four of the Philippine Junior Closed Championship at the Alabang Golf Club yesterday.
Zaragoza yielded five of the first six holes but worked his way back in the match to frustrate Gallardo and keep his title bid alive.
Andres Saldana, meanwhile, stopped the giant killing ways of Gabriel Manotoc with a hard-earned 3 and 1 win later to earn a semifinal clash with Cebu’s LJ Go, an upset 3&2 winner over the long-hitting Miggy Yee.
In girls’ play, Daniela Uy outsteadied Samantha Martinez, 3 and 2 while Princess Superal had an easier time in thumping Marvi Monsalve, 5 and 3.
Uy next clashes with namesake Daniela Gonzales, a 1-up winner over Felicia Medalla, while Superal guns for a finals seat against Mia Legaspi, who repulsed Maan Legaspi, 2&1, in the tournament presented by Pancake House and SOC Land and backed by the Herma Group, Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf.
Meanwhile, registration for the Philippine Amateur Men’s and Women’s Closed Championship slated May 30 at Wack Wack East is ongoing.
Clyde Mondilla, Jobim Carlos and Zannie Boy Gialon lead the cast in the tournament, starting with a 36-hole stroke play qualifying then to match play.