CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines — In a dramatic display of resilience and nerves of steel, Precious Zaragosa pulled off a stunning come-from-behind victory at the ICTSI Junior PGT (JPGT) Pueblo de Oro Championship on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Just one week after a heartbreaking one-shot loss at Del Monte, the 15-year-old Zaragosa overturned a massive five-stroke deficit during the final round to force a playoff and ultimately claim the girls’ 15-18 division crown.
Heading into the final 18 holes at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club, Zaragosa trailed Bukidnon standout Zero Plete by five shots. However, a scorching performance on the front nine changed the complexion of the tournament.
- Final Round Surge: Zaragosa carded a brilliant four-under-par 68, highlighted by five birdies in her last nine holes.
- The Deadlock: Her late-round heroics allowed her to catch Plete at the top of the leaderboard with a three-day total of 224, forcing a sudden-death playoff.
- Sudden Death: On the first playoff hole (No. 9), Plete blinked, three-putting from eight feet to finish with a bogey. Zaragosa capitalized on the opening, coolly sinking a four-foot par putt to secure her first win in the Visayas-Mindanao series in two years.
The victory was particularly sweet for Zaragosa, who had struggled with late-round miscues during the previous leg in Bukidnon.
“I believed I still had a chance and kept telling myself to stay focused and give my best no matter what happens,” Zaragosa said. “This victory really boosts my confidence after Del Monte. I’m so happy to finally get my first win in the Vis-Min series.”
While Zaragosa stole the headlines with her comeback, other divisions saw dominant performances:
| Category | Winner | Performance Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Girls 15-18 | Precious Zaragosa | Erased 5-shot deficit; won on 1st playoff hole. |
| Boys 15-18 | Alexis Nailga | Secured his 3rd regional win with a 229 total. |
| Boys 7-10 | Stephen Clementer | Homegrown bet won his first JPGT crown. |
| Girls 7-10 | Soleil Molde | Swept back-to-back titles after winning Del Monte. |
| Boys 11-14 | Jared Saban | Solidified his lead to take the division title. |
| Girls 11-14 | Brittany Tamayo | Continued her winning streak from the previous leg. |
The ICTSI Junior PGT Visayas-Mindanao circuit now prepares for its final two legs in Bacolod and Negros Occidental next month. For Zaragosa and Nailga, the victory in Cagayan de Oro provides vital momentum as they look to secure their spots in the national grand finals.