JPGT Finals: Team South eyes revenge, Team North seeks repeat

MANILA, Philippines — Team South will have the home-course advantage – and perhaps an even greater sense of urgency – as it takes on Team North in a much-anticipated rematch in the ICTSI Elite Junior PGT Finals on Aug. 18-20 at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro.

South will be out to erase the bitter taste of its 21 1/2-26 1/2 setback to North at The Country Club.

The Ryder Cup-style event promises another highly charged three-day duel, with team chemistry and camaraderie taking center stage in the opening two days before individual talent and match-play poise come to the fore in the decisive singles round.

The hosts boast a formidable cast of players with proven familiarity and success at Pueblo de Oro, including Stephen Clementer and Soleil Molde in the 7-10 age group, Jared Saban and Brittany Tamayo in the 11-14 division, and Alexis Nailga and Precious Zaragosa in the 15-18 class.

Yet North knows better than to be intimidated by the home-course advantage.

Its title defense begins with a deep and talented 7-10 lineup led by girls Winter Serapio, Jaicee Cervantes, Andrea Dee and Jehanne Mendoza, and boys Zach Guicio, Zoji Edoc, Kenzo Tan and Kingston Ching.

Backing Molde and Clementer on the South side are Ana Marie Aguilar, Vanya Go and Akeisha Yocte in the girls’ division, and Ethan Lago, Lucas Revilleza and Darren Ong among the boys.

The first two days could well hinge on how these youngsters mesh as partners, complement each other’s games and handle the pressure of playing for a team rather than themselves. With the rosters reshaped following the six-leg Luzon and Visayas-Mindanao Series, where the top performers earned berths to their respective squads, finding the right combinations could prove just as important as individual shot-making.