Aguilar, Clementer claim crucial wins

MANILA, Philippines — With coveted tickets to the Elite Junior PGT Finals on the line, Ana Marie Aguilar and Stephen Clementer braved grueling, windless conditions to spearhead a gripping charge in the ICTSI Bacolod JPGT Championship yesterday.

Aguilar delivered a masterclass in resilience, carding a steady even-par 70 to dominate the girls’ 7-10 division with a 36-hole total of 144, cruising to a commanding six-stroke victory over Soleil Molde.

Entering the week buried at joint ninth in the rankings with just 10 points, her triumph fueled a dramatic backdoor bid for the North vs. South Elite Finals this August at Pueblo de Oro.

Her total rose to 25 points, just outside the crucial Top 4 cut-of, heading to the final leg of the six-stop series Monday at the Negros Occidental GCC, her home course.

In the boys’ 7-10 division, Clementer completed a spectacular wire-to-wire triumph. The Cagayan de Oro standout gutted out a final-round 72 for a 152 total, burying runner-up Thomas Ngo (93-176) by a massive 24 strokes. Ashton Araw-araw placed third at 183 after a 90.

Clementer’s second consecutive victory – following a playoff win over finalist Ethan Lago at Pueblo de Oro – officially punched his ticket to the grand finals.