Nailga all but wraps up centerpiece boys’ title at Mactan
Alexis Nailga continued to cruise in the centerpiece 15-18 boys’ division of the ICTSI Mactan Island Junior PGT Championship in Cebu City, shooting a one-over-par 69 to hike his lead to 20 shots that all but put the title away with a round left to be played on Friday.
“My putting just clicked. I made a lot of putts today,” Nailga said in Filipino as he takes a 135 aggregate into the final 18 holes of the 54-hole event—and that imposing lead over David Gothong, who carded a 76 for 155, with Ritchie Go another two shots back after shooting an 81.
The standout of Del Monte in Bukidnon had four birdies against two double bogeys and a bogey in his impressive run, even as Marqaela Dy ruled the girls’ 11-14 category by five shots over Zuri Bagaloyos after closing out with a 75.
“Winning on a course as challenging as this makes this victory even more special,” the 13-year-old Dy, who plays out of the exclusive Cebu Country Club, said after tallying a 36-hole 145.
Also winning was Akeisha Yocte, who delivered a gritty final round effort for the girls’ 7-10 title.
Decided in the last hole
Yocte returned an 82 for a two-stroke victory over Vanya Go, finishing with a 159 total in the 36-hole division. Go, who was tied with Yocte when they approached the 18th tee mound, triple bogeyed the closing hole for an 80.
“This win taught me important lessons about staying focused and bouncing back from every setback or challenge,” said Yocte.
Davao’s Ethan Lago ran away with the victory in the boys’ 7-10 crown after a telling birdie-eagle burst from No. 14 that turned a two-shot lead into a commanding five-shot triumph. He closed with a 71 for a 146 total.
Lucas Revilleza, who kept the pressure on throughout, submitted a 74 with Darren Ong a distant third at 175 after an 88.
Lago now looks ahead to the possibility of back-to-back wins at Alta Vista next week, carrying with him an important lesson of never giving up.
In the boys’ 11-14, Bukidnon’s Ralph Batican matched par to complete a wire-to-wire win with a 142 total. Ken Guillermo finished second at 145 after a 70, while Mico Woo carded a 74 for third at 151.
