CEBU CITY, Philippines — Tashanah Balangauan proved once again that she is the player to beat in the junior golf circuit, securing her second consecutive title in the ICTSI Junior PGT (JPGT) on Wednesday at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club.
Unlike her dominant 20-stroke victory at Mactan Island last week, Balangauan had to dig deep to survive a final-round duel with a resilient Dominique Gotiong. A clutch birdie on the par-5 16th proved to be the difference-maker, allowing the 16-year-old to hold on for a one-over-par 73 and a narrow one-stroke win.
The final round turned into a high-stakes showdown of composure and skill:
- The Clincher: Balangauan finished the 54-hole tournament with a total of 223, just barely edging out Gotiong’s 224.
- Gotiong’s Redemption: After trailing by 20 shots last week, Gotiong mounted a serious challenge with a final-round 74, pushing Balangauan until the final green.
- The Winner’s Word: “This win is a reminder to always stay disciplined, remain humble, and trust in God’s plan,” Balangauan said. “I feel truly blessed… but I know I still have a lot to improve on since I haven’t been playing my best game.”
In the boys’ 15-18 division, Sebastian Sajuela staged a dramatic comeback to capture his first JPGT title.
- The Rally: Trailing for most of the day, Sajuela carded a 75 to finish at 238, overtaking David Gothong who struggled late with back-to-back double bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes.
- Clutch Finish: Sajuela secured the win with a birdie-par-par closing stretch, finishing three shots ahead of Gothong (241).
While the drama unfolded in Cebu, younger golfers were making their mark at the Summit Point Championship in Lipa City, Batangas:
- 7-10 Boys: Zach Guico dominated in his season debut, carding an 81 for a 151 total, winning by five shots over Zoji Edoc.
- 7-10 Girls: Andrea Dee matched Guico’s dominance, cruising to a five-shot victory with a 160 total, thwarting the challenge of Winter Serapio.
The JPGT Visayas-Mindanao series continues to serve as a proving ground for the nation’s rising golf stars. With Balangauan now holding two straight trophies, the pressure shifts to her rivals as the circuit prepares for its next leg. For now, the 16-year-old Cebuana stands tall as the undisputed queen of the southern series.