Seeds gain PGF Junior Masters title berths

Cebuano shotmaker Harvey Sytiongsa saved par on the 16th hole to prevail over Miguel Shah, 2 and 1, and advance to the finals of the boys’ Class A (15-17) division of the Philippine Golf Foundation Junior Masters at Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa.

The 17-year-old Sytiongsa, playing out of Cebu Country Club, hardly showed any nerves seeing action in his first match-play tournament as he forged a title duel with top seed John Catalan, who won, 1-up, over Justin Quiban on another hot and humid day.

“It’s going to be tough against him (Catalan),” said Sytiongsa, a student of University of San Carlos, who is actually playing for the first time in Metro Manila.

“He rarely makes mistakes, but I will play my best,” added Sytiongsa, who was in the same flight as Catalan in the classification phase where he nailed the No. 2 seed.

Other top seeds also advancing to the finals were Pamela Mariano in the girls’ Class A, Anika Cedo in the girls’ Class B (13-14) and Junia Gabasa in the girls’ Class C (11-12) and Jolo Magcalayo in the boys’ Class D (9-10).

Mikaela Arroyo, granddaughter of former President Arroyo, stunned top seed Laia Barro, 2 and 1, in girls’ Class D to set up a title match with Annyka Cayabyab-Pineda, who ousted Gao Wei-fang, 3 and 2.

Mariano crushed Gabrielle Crystal, 7 and 6, to earn the right to face No. 3 seed Ericka Lim, a 7-and-5 winner over Daniella Uy.

Gao Wei-yu was the lone survivor among the three Gao siblings who made the last four in their respective classes. He gained the boys’ Class C finals after besting Luigi Wong, 3 and 2.

Nikolo Gatmaytan eliminated the other Gao sibling, Wei-wei, 1-up, in boys’ Class B.

Gatmaytan will square off with Dan Cruz, who eliminated Ryan Monsalve, 1-up.

The Cebu-based Gabasa, younger sister of former PH Amateur champion Irina, overcame Del Monte’s Martina Miñoza, 5 and 3, to earn a shot at the title against Ashia Nocum, who prevailed over Angela Mangana, 5 and 4.

Cedo toppled Rainstar Roque, 6 and 5, to arrange a title duel with Lois Kaye Go, who made quick work of Annika Guangco, 8 and 7.