CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BAGUIO – After two unsuccessful attempts, the Sarines siblings finally demonstrated their dominant form, sweeping the titles in the 11-14 category in the Junior Philippine Golf Tour Luzon Series 3 at the Pinewoods Golf and Country Club here Wednesday.
Vito and Lisa secured late-round victories under foggy conditions, sustaining their remarkable performances three legs into the 14-stage series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. After three tournaments in Luzon, the series heads to the Visayas for a three-leg swing starting Monday (June 17) in Iloilo.
Lisa’s convincing triumph over her twin sister Mona was impressive, but it was Vito’s win over Race Manhit that brought back memories of his thrilling escape in the series’ kickoff leg at Splendido Taal last month.
READ: Junior golfers brace for JPGT Pradera challenge
Tied with Manhit going into the par-4 18th, Vito clinched victory by securing a par while his rival stumbled with a three-putt miscue after missing the green, resulting in a two-shot victory.
Vito finished with an 80 for a 244 over 54 holes, while Manhit, who had battled back from six strokes down to force a tie with a par on No. 17 against Vito’s bogey, ended up with a 246 after a 76. Majen Gomez also carded a 76 to place third with a 255.
“I felt a lot of pressure when we were tied in the last three holes. But I told myself I needed to make par,” said Vito. “Although I bogeyed the 17th, I still ended up winning.”
After scoring a wire-to-wire victory at Pradera Verde, Lisa showcased her come-from-behind prowess, rallying from two shots down to shoot an impressive 71 and overwhelm the field with a runaway seven-stroke victory.
Lisa quickly regained control with a solid frontside 35 as erstwhile leader and twin sister Mona and contender Levonne Talion both wavered with bogey-riddled 40s.
READ: Vito Sarines JPGT triumph surprises even himself
It was cruise control from there as Lisa pulled away with another birdie on No. 11 before slowing down with a bogey on No. 16 for a one-under card and a 54-hole total of 228.
Mona struggled to 80 but still completed another 1-2 finish for the Sarineses with a 235, while Talion ended up third with 237 after a 79. Splendido leg winner Precious Zaragosa finished fourth with an 81 for a 240.
“I played very consistently, with two birdies and one bogey. I’m really happy with my round,” said Lisa. “With the thick fog, it’s a little bit harder to play, but I just trusted my yardage and my instinct.”
Play was halted for 10 minutes due to a fog delay as mist enveloped the entire course at mid-morning. This picturesque layout, known for its magnificent mountain views and wide-open areas, also features challenging holes that test each player’s resolve, patience, and strategic acumen.
Meanwhile, registration for the Iloilo leg is ongoing. For details, contact PGTI’s Jhi Castillo at 0928-316-5678 or Shiela Salvania at 0968-3114101.
As the battle for top honors in the centerpiece 15-18 girls’ division heads to a thrilling finish, Rafa Anciano carded an 86 for a 265 as she barely clung to a one-shot lead over Chloe Rada, who charged back with an 83 for a 266.
Meanwhile, the boys’ competition has shifted from tight to wide open as Tristan Padilla blazed through a scorching frontside windup, pulling away from Charles Serdenia by nine strokes with a 67 and a 217.
Padilla, two shots ahead of Serdenia halfway through the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI, dropped to second despite a one-under card after 10 holes from the backside as Serdenia sizzled in chilly conditions with five birdies against a bogey in the same stretch.
But Padilla regained his form in the closing holes, birdying four of the last seven holes and racing away as Serdenia lost his touch and momentum, making four bogeys and a double bogey in the same stretch. That resulted in Padilla pulling away by a commanding margin as Serdenia finished with a 74 for a 226. Mark Kobayashi stayed at distant third at 235 after an 80.
“I had a lot of good second shots in the last nine holes, and my putting got much better, giving me a good score,” said Padilla.
Despite a huge lead, Padilla said he would stick to his game plan that has served him well over the past three days. “Nothing changes. It’s the same thing tomorrow (Thursday),” stressed Padilla, who after the second round, buckled down to training, sharpening his short game and putting. “I tried to lessen the impact of my mistakes, and fortunately, I made no double bogeys,” he said.
Anciano, meanwhile, stayed ahead despite a bogey-bogey windup at the front but Rada stalked at 266 after an 83 capped by a clutch par on the ninth. First round leader Montserrat Lapuz faltered with a second straight 92 and fell farther back at 274.
“I felt a bit sad about not hitting any birdies, but in general, my driving was better. I was able to get the power I wanted,” said Anciano.
Looking ahead to the final 18 holes, she said she’ll just have fun on the course and not put any pressure on herself.
“I’ll try to be calmer, not mind what my opponent is doing, and just do the best I can,” she said.
Anciano also mentioned that her game has become more consistent, hitting the ball well while maintaining a strong mindset. “I’ll just stay happy, no matter what. I’m not letting bad results get to me.”