Team North delivered solid performances despite the heavy rain and strong winds from Typhoon Paolo, winning the International Container Terminal Services Inc. North vs South Elite Junior Philippine Golf Tour Championship crown on Friday in Cabuyao, Laguna.
Needing just 10 wins on the last day, North added an extra for good measure.
In the final singles matches, North secured 11 wins and 2 halves out of 24 games, surpassing the 24.5-point mark to seal a 26½-21½ victory at The Country Club.
North led from the start, winning the Four-ball format 8-4 and edging South 6½-5½ in Foursomes.
South rallied late, winning 11 matches and narrowing the gap to 21-23 with several matches still in play.
Then came the turning point.
Vito Sarines, tied with South’s Ralph Batican, chipped in from 20 yards on the rain-soaked 18th hole for birdie, sealing a 2-up win in the boys’ 11-14 division and pushing North to 24 points.
The clincher came quietly at hole 15, where Jakob Taruc defeated Eric Jeon 4 and 3 in the boys’ 15-18 division, securing the title with North’s 25th point.
Rafa Anciano pulled off a comeback 3 and 2 win over Precious Zaragosa, and Zach Villaroman halved his match with Alexis Nailga to finalize the score.
‘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.’
North took early control in nine of the first 15 pairings, while four matches remained tied in the 7-10 and 11-14 age groups.
South’s top juniors from Visayas and Mindanao fought back. In boys’ 11-14, four South players led early, but North’s Edoc and Sarines clawed back to halve their matches, slowing South’s momentum.
North held firm in the younger divisions, showing poise under pressure. Even after standout Patrick Tambalque withdrew due to injury while leading his match, North’s depth carried them through.
‘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,’ Anciano said.
‘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.’
In singles, Halo Pangilinan opened with a 6 and 5 win over James Rolida in boys’ 7-10. Mavis Espedido followed with a 5 and 3 win, countering South’s early point from Kvan Alburo. Ronee Dungca, Zach Guico, and Jacob Casuga added dominant wins in boys’ 11-14. Winter Serapio and twins Lisa and Mona Sarines swept their matches in the girls’ divisions.
South responded with wins from Lucas Revilleza, Denise Mendoza, Zuri Bagaloyos, Rafella Batican, Crista Miñoza, and Tashanah Balangauan. Marcus Dueñas, Jared Saban, and Mhark Fernando added late victories, leveling the singles at 8 wins each.
But North’s five-point cushion from team play proved decisive.
Tiffany Bernardino’s late collapse allowed Mikela Guillermo to halve their match, briefly delaying North’s celebration.
Standout players for North included Espedido, Dungca, Casuga, Serapio, and the Sarines twins, who swept all their matches. For South, Balangauan and Miñoza went unbeaten.