STA. ROSA, Laguna—Amid the driving rain and fierce winds of Typhoon Paolo, Team North stood tall – unyielding and unrelenting – as it powered its way to a wire-to-wire triumph to claim the crown in the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior PGT Championship here on Friday.
After dominating the Four-ball format with an emphatic 8-4 win and grinding out a hard-fought 6 1/2- 5 1/2 victory in Foursomes, North proved it could also excel when the pressure was squarely on individual shoulders. n the decisive Singles matches, they delivered yet again – claiming 11 of the 24 showdowns while halving two others – to power past the 24.5-point title threshold and seal a convincing 26 1/2-21 1/2 triumph at The Country Club.
North needed just 10 wins in the head-to-head battles to wrap up the title in this inaugural Ryder Cup-style finale, but added an extra for good measure – cementing its dominance and validating the months-long journey that began in the Luzon series, with standout talents emerging from seven grueling legs played across the region’s top championship courses.
South mounted a spirited comeback late, overcoming early setbacks to notch 11 victories and narrow the overall gap to 21-23 with several matches still to be played.
With the championship hanging in the balance, North’s Vito Sarines delivered a moment for the ages.
Locked in a tense, all-square battle with South’s Ralph Batican, Sarines pulled off a stunning 20-yard chip-in on the treacherous 18th hole – an audacious shot that cut through the rain and pressure like a knife. The ball rolled then dropped into the cup with clinical precision for birdie, triggering a thunderous eruption from the North camp and sealing a dramatic 2-up victory in the boys’ 11-14 division.
That electrifying finish handed North a crucial point, bringing their tally to 24 in what had been a nail-biting showdown.
But while the cheers echoed around the 18th green and outside of the TCC Pavilion, the true clincher unfolded quietly at the distant 15th.
There, Jakob Taruc calmly dismantled Eric Jeon with a dominant 4&3 victory in the boys’ 15-18 division. His steely composure and relentless play sealed the title for North – delivering the full point that pushed them past the finish line with a 25-point total.
Then came Rafa Anciano, who added flourish to North’s crowning moment. Down early against Precious Zaragosa, Anciano staged a gritty comeback and closed it out with a 3&2 win – lifting North’s total to 26. Zach Villaroman capped the effort with an all-square result against Alexis Nailga, nudging the final score to 26 1/2–21 1/2.
What began as a tightly fought, rain-soaked duel between two proud regions ended in celebration for the North. And at its heart was a daring chip, a quiet clincher, and a team that rose when it mattered most.
“The lead in Day 1 was very, very important,” said Team North captain’s representative Joey Anciano. “It’s like a step inside the door already. Day 2 was to maintain or increase the lead and we also won, leaving us with 10 matches and a draw to win the cup.”
And momentum they had in spades.
After two days of intense action – marked by drama, momentum swings and relentless pressure – Team North came into the final day poised, calm and battle-ready.
Even the threat of Typhoon Paolo couldn’t shake its players’ resolve.
As gray skies darkened and strong winds gusted over the drenched course, the players teed off in drizzle. But Team North was all business. They seized early control in nine of the first 15 pairings, while four matches remained all-square in the hotly contested 7-10 and 11-14 age groups.
The South squad, composed of the Visayas-Mindanao region’s finest junior talents, made a spirited stand. In the boys’ 11-14 division, four of their players surged ahead early. But Team North was quick to respond. Zianbeau Edoc and Sarines clawed back to force all-square results against Jared Saban and Batican, respectively – dampening South’s momentum just as it began to rise.
North’s dominance held strong in the boys’ and girls’ 7-10 and girls’ 11-14 categories, where they displayed unflinching composure amid challenging conditions. That resilience, forged over months of elite competition, shone through when it mattered most.
North even conceded an early match when 15-18 standout Patrick Tambalque was forced to withdraw while leading Armand Copok by two after five holes, citing a severe back injury.
But this hardly mattered for a team that continued to shine across multiple age-group divisions, undeterred by the windy, stormy conditions.
Anciano raised the determination and effort shown by his players throughout the tournament.
“It was teamwork and team dynamics. And credit goes to the players definitely because they fought their hearts out,” said Anciano.
“Every match the players did their best and that’s what’s important. That’s why we have this kind of tournament. Golf is an individual sport, but we are blessed to have this event which is also all about teamwork,” he added.
He also emphasized the individual talent of the team and how their game plan paid off.
“All our players are gifted – they’re talented, strong hitters, and strong in their individual games,” Anciano said.
“Actually, it can go both ways, but again we had a strategy through all three days and it worked. So we’re happy to win this one,” he added.
Halo Pangilinan delivered the opening blow for North with a dominant 6&5 rout of James Rolida in the boys’ 7-10 division, setting the tone early in the singles matches. Mavis Espedido quickly followed suit with a 5&3 triumph over Soleil Molde, answering South’s first win of the day – Kvan Alburo’s 6&5 demolition of Asher Abad.
Ronee Dungca continued North’s charge in the youngest division, dismantling Claren Quiño with a commanding 7&6 victory. Zach Guico then overpowered Ethan Lago, 6&4, while Jacob Casuga cruised to a 6&5 win over Ken Guillermo in the boys’ 11-14 bracket. In the girls’ 7-10, Winter Serapio rolled past Francesca Geroy, 4&3, and twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines delivered back-to-back wins in the girls’ 11-14 – an 8&6 rout of Brittany Tamayo and a 3&2 decision over Kimberly Baroquillo, respectively.
Despite the rains and North’s early surge, South staged a spirited comeback.
Lucas Revilleza edged Zoji Edoc, 2&1, in boys’ 7-10, while Denise Mendoza blasted past Tyra Garingalao, 5&3, in girls’ 7-10. In girls’ 11-14, Zuri Bagaloyos downed Alexie Gabi, 3&2, and Rafella Batican eked out a 1-up victory over Kendra Garingalao. In the girls’ 15-18 division, Crista Miñoza and Tashanah Balangauan scored emphatic wins – 7&5 over Levonne Talion and 5&4 against Chloe Rada, respectively.
South’s late rally leveled the singles matches at 8 wins apiece, and it even surged ahead as Marcus Dueñas and Saban outlasted Ryuji Suzuki and Edoc via the same 3&1 results in boys’ 11-14, and Mhark Fernando essayed a 4&3 victory over Kristoffer Nadales in boys’ 15-18.
But it wasn’t enough to erase North’s five-point cushion from the first two days of team play. In the end, the Luzon aces proved just as tough and dominant in individual matches as they had been in team competition, securing a well-deserved overall victory in the rain-soaked championship.
North’s Tiffany Bernardino earlier blew a four-hole lead late, enabling Mikela Guillermo to salvage an all-square match, stalling the team’s impending march to the championship.
By day’s end, the storm in the skies mirrored the storm unleashed by Team North on the course – calculated, fierce and unstoppable.
The victory capped a season-long, cross-regional showcase of emerging Filipino golf talent – a tournament built not only on skill, but on heart, grit and camaraderie.
And as the North players hoisted the championship trophy, they didn’t just celebrate a tournament win. They celebrated the spirit of a team that weathered every challenge – from championship pressure to the edge of a typhoon – and emerged as the brightest stars of Philippine junior golf.
Emerging as standout performers for Team North were Espedido, Dungca, Casuga, Serapio, and the Sarines twins, who swept all their matches in Fourballs, Foursomes and Singles. On the other hand, Balangauan and Miñoza were the only unbeaten players from Team South, with Balangauan winning all her matches, including the only three tournaments she had participated in during the Vis-Min series.
