Zianbeau reigns at Pradera, stays in Finals slot hunt
Zianbeau Edoc won a second straight leg in the ICTSI Junior PGT series on Wednesday after closing out with a two-under-par 70 for the Pradera Verde crown that allowed him to stay in the running—albeit in a slim way—of making the final roster for the Elite Finals in two months.
Edoc tallied a 36-hole 141 in the 36-hole 11-14 boys’ championship, and would need nothing less than another victory when the series heads to chilly Baguio to make the North team that will battle its counterparts from the South in a Ryder Cup-style event at The Country Club.
“I made more putts today and hit my wedges closer to the pins,” said Zianbeau of his fiery windup, which counted five birdies, after he had started the final day with a triple bogey 7.
Lisa Sarines, meanwhile, returned a 68 that overhauled twin sister Mona’s lead for the girls’ 11-14 title with a 140. Mona finished two strokes behind after shooting a level 72.
“It feels very refreshing and relieving,” said Lisa of her victory, carved out on the strength of five birdies. “I’ve been working harder and harder with my coach.”
Meanwhile, Ronee Dungca roared back from four shots down to bag the girls’ 7-10 crown over Mavis Espedido.
Dungca gunned down four birdies in her first 10 holes on the way to shooting a 69 for 143 and a one-shot win over Espedido, who dropped two shots on the 36th hole for a 74.
“I focused more on my short game, and it really paid off,” said the 9-year-old Dungca. “I just stayed relaxed, focused, and enjoyed the game.” With one leg remaining in the seven-stage Luzon series–set at Camp John Hay in Baguio City next week–the battle for the final three spots in the Elite Junior Finals in the girls’ 7-10 division is shaping up to be a tight one.
In the boys’ youngest category, Zoji Edoc claimed his second straight leg title–and third overall–with a commanding 11-stroke romp over Halo Pangilinan. He slowed down with a 78 for a 154 total, while Pangilinan settled for second with an 81 for 165. Korean Sooreen Lee finished third at 170 after another 85.
