Balangauan holds off Gotiong, triumphs for second straight week in JPGT

Tashanah Balangauan won a second straight leg in the ICTSI Junior PGT circuit, but she needed to dig deep on this one to outlast Dominique Gotiong in a gripping final round duel for the premier 15-18 girls’ division title of the Alta Vista Championship on Wednesday in Cebu City.

A birdie on the par-5 16th had Balangauan closing out with a one-over-par 73 for a 54-hole 223 and a one-stroke win over Gotiong, who was also second last week at Mactan Island by 20 shots, but a final round 74 made it very close this time.

“This win is a reminder to always stay disciplined, remain humble, and trust in God’s plan,” the 16-year-old Balangauan said. “I feel truly blessed and grateful, but I know I still have a lot to improve on since I haven’t been playing my best game.”

In the boys’ side, Sebastian Sajuela rallied with a 75 to edge out David Gothong and capture a first title with a 238 tally.

Trailing Gothong for most of the round, Sajuela surged ahead with a birdie-par-par effort in the stretch as Gothong faltered down with back-to-back double bogeys from No. 16 for an 84 and a 241 total.

Roman Tiongko, runner-up to Mactan leg winner Alexis Nailga last week, also struggled with an 80 to finish third at 250.

“I just focused on playing the course, committing to my shots, and executing what I had planned,” said Sajuela. “Once I took the lead near the end, I told myself to stay composed.”

Meanwhile, in Lipa City in Batangas, Zach Guico and Andrea Dee triumphed in the 7-10 division to highlight a day of dominant wins in the Summit Point Championship.

Dee, also from QC, matched Guico’s dominance on the girls’ side, cruising to a similar five-shot triumph with a 160 after an 83. She thwarted the charge of Mount Malarayat leg winner Winter Serapio, who settled for second at 165 after an 82, while Jehanne Mendoza carded a second 84 for third at 168.