Three-way fight for two national finals spots looms

A three-way fight for two National Match Play finals berths in the girls’ 13-15 division will take centerstage when the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour concludes its three-leg Visayas series in Bacolod starting Monday at tree-lined Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.

Tiffany Bernardino, Alexie Gabi and Rane Chiu are locked in a tight race for the two slots in the finale set in October at The Country Club in Laguna, with Bernardino having a lot of momentum after ruling last week’s stop at Bacolod Golf Club in nearby Murcia town.

Players are allowed to compete in multiple series, with their best three results considered. The top four players from Luzon and the top two from Visayas and Mindanao will advance to the match play finals, with the top player from each age category across all series also earning a finals spot.

Gabi topped the Iloilo leg, followed by Bernardino and Chiu. Bernardino then edged out Chiu and Gabi by a stroke last week with Chiu topping Gabi in the countback for runner-up honors.

Points are awarded based on finishes in each leg of the five-month, 14-stage nationwide series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., with the winner earning 15 points, while the second and third placers gaining 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Other age group categories include 8-9, 10-12, and 16-18 for both boys and girls.