Baroquillo ace leads to title; Nailga stays five ahead
Alexis Nailga and Zero Plete stayed atop their respective divisions even with contrasting performances on Thursday even as titles in the younger divisions in the ICTSI Del Monte Junior PGT Championship were decided in spectacular styles with the girls’ 11-14 winner punctuating her victory with an ace.
Nailga carved out a bogey-free two-under-par 70 to stay three shots ahead in the boys’ 15-18, while Plete rebounded from a wobbly front nine to rescue a 75 and still be five shots ahead in girls’ play as both brackets head into its final round on Friday at the majestic tree-lined layout.
There was a lot of excitement in the win of Kimberly Baroquillo, who aced the picturesque 12th hole with a 7-iron from 147 yards, as the 13-year-old closed out with a second straight 73 to win by four shots over Brittany Tamayo.
Local bet Crista Miñoza bounced back with a 76 for 157 to trail Plete, who rued several missed fairways that prevented her from building a more imposing lead heading into the final 18 holes.
“I just missed a few fairways and had some lapses on the greens,” said Plete.
Soleil Molde ruled the 7-10 boys’ division by seven shots over Clarin Quiño despite a closing 79 for 156. Quiño hobbled home with an 81.
