Lisa Sarines leads twin sister Mona by two at Malarayat
Lisa Sarines closed out with a wobble on Monday, as four strokes dropped in a two-hole stretch from No. 16 had her settling for a seven-over-par 79 and a two-shot lead over twin sister Mona after one round of the girls’ centerpiece 15-18 division of the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Junior PGT Championship in Lipa City.
The multitime 11-14 champion was on cruise control with a five-shot lead going to the 16th tee, before two straight double bogeys allowed Mona to close the gap and make the final two rounds a wide-open race.
“It was a decent round, but not the score that I wanted,” Lisa said after signing for a 38-43 that gave the likes of Alexie Gabi (86) and Kendra Garingalao (89) outside shots entering Tuesday’s second 18. “I just wasn’t hitting the ball well.”
In the boys’ 11-14 division, Chan Ahn shot a 78 to lead Ryuji Suzuki, Jacob Casuga by a shot. Race Manhit fired an 81 and Ryuichi Tao shot at 82 to make for a bunched-up leaderboard. Vito Sarines, with an 83, and Miguel Orbita, who shot an 85, stayed well in the mix as this division crowns a champion on Tuesday.
Staying composed
“I’m just glad that I was able to keep my composure,” Ahn said as the heat and swirling gusts took a toll on a lot of the players. “I need to focus on my tempo and mental game.”
Meanwhile, Maurysse Abalos also grabbed a slim lead in the girls’ 11-14 category with a 79, with Aerin Chan, daughter of ex-Gilas Pilipinas standout Jeff, shooting an 80 to be a shot behind. Quincy Pilac stayed within range after an 81 and Avery Sytengco and Mavis Espedido posted 82 and 84, respectively.
“The course is tough, but I was able to handle it,” said the 11-year-old Abalos, who plays out of Poveda. “It was hot, but I managed to stay cool.”
Winter Serapio dominated the girls’ 7-10 class with a 77 to build a six-shot cushion over Marie Claire Mendoza and Laura Pablo, who fired 83s.
In the boys’ 7-10, Kenzo Tan signed for a shaky 44 coming home but still took command with an 80, a shot up on Lauro Delen, who birdied the 18th to impress in his JPGT debut. Alexian Ching shot an 84 for third as this division also winds up on Tuesday.
