North takes 3-pt lead in JPGT finals opener

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines — Team North showed its class, resolve and championship mettle right from the opening tee, overcoming the so-called homecourt advantage to seize a commanding 7 1/2 - 4 1/2 lead over Team South in the four-ball format at the start of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior PGT Championship at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Playing on unfamiliar turf and against a South squad expected to draw strength from local knowledge, the defending champions imposed their will early, taking control of seven of the 12 best-ball matches contested across three age-group divisions. More importantly, the Northerners refused to let the challenging conditions or the home-side advantage disrupt their rhythm, sustaining their pressure through the heat of the midday battles to nearly match their 8-4 opening output fashioned in last year’s inaugural regional showdown at The Country Club.

Zach Guico and Kingston Ching set the tone for the Northerners’ early charge, going 3-up after just seven holes against South’s Ethan Lago and Lucas Revilleza in the boys’ 7-10 division. They never looked back, closing out a convincing 5&4 victory that immediately put North on the front foot.

Zoji Edoc and Kenzo Tan then displayed the composure and fighting spirit that have become the hallmark of the North side. Trailing by one hole at one stage, the pair patiently worked their way back before turning the match around and beating Stephen Clementer and Darren Ong, 3&2, in another boys’ 7-10 duel.

Edoc highlighted their victory with a hole-in-one on the 80-yard No. 13 using a 54-degree club and a Taylormade TP5 ball.