Aguilar leads qualifiers to Jr. Match Play finals

BACOLOD, Philippines — Ana Marie Aguilar’s decisive frontside charge propelled her to victory in the 8-9 age category of the ICTSI JPGT Visayas Series 3 yesterday, earning her a place in the Philippine Junior Match Play Championship in October.

Aguilar, who shot a frontside 52 to finish with a 109 and a 229 total, emerged triumphant from a three-way tie with Faith Reosura and Aria Montelibano. Reosura and Montelibano faltered with frontside scores of 62 and 63, respectively, enabling Aguilar to seize a commanding lead and maintain her advantage at the back nine of the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here.

Reosura ended with a 238 total after a 118 while Montelibano finished with a 244 total after a 124.

“I’m very happy that I’ll be going to Manila. I’m going to keep practicing for the national finals, particularly on my driving and putting,” added Aguilar, niece of former top amateur and Ladies PGT campaigner Anya Tanpinco.

Aguilar secured her spot in the national finals with 27 points, behind Eliana Mendoza, winner of the Iloilo and Bacolod legs of the regional series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., who took the first slot with 30 points.

In the boys’ 8-9 category, Tobias Tiongko clinched the championship with an 86 for a 179 total, overcoming a three-stroke deficit with a frontside 44. James Rolida, unable to recover from a 49 start, finished with a 95 for a 185.

Tiongko, who also placed third in Bacolod, amassed 25 points and joined division topnotcher Kvan Alburo, who dominated the first two legs worth 30 points.

Also gaining slots in the national finals were Race Manhit and Kurt Flores (boys 10-12), and Cailey Gonzales and Zuri Bagaloyos (girls 10-12), all of whom secured slots in the 72-player Match Play cast.

Manhit, an Ateneo student, dominated with a 76 to finish with a 154, outclassing Rafael Alvarez (94-190) and Isaac Locsin (102-203). He finished with 30 points while Flores secured the other finals slot with 27 points.

Maurysse Abalos clinched the girls’ 10-12 class with a dramatic last-hole birdie, finishing with an 80 to top Kelsey Bernardino by two strokes. Chelsea Ogborne finished third with a 212 total.

In other categories, Nyito Tiongko positioned himself for consecutive victories with a 79 for a 154, leading Gabriel Handog (85-162) by eight strokes in the boys’ 13-15 division.

Tiffany Bernardino led the girls’ 13-15 category with a 176 after a 90, closely followed by Rane Chiu (87-178) and Alexie Gabi (96-183).

In the premier 16-18 category, Dominique Gotiong closed in on a Match Play slot with an 86 for a 168.