Cervantes pulls away on sizzling last nine

MANILA, Philippines — Under a heavy blanket of dark skies that trapped a suffocating, windless heat, nine-year-old Jaicee Cervantes delivered a thrilling back-nine resurgence to launch a gritty backdoor bid for the Elite Junior Finals.

Carding a four-over 75, Cervantes seized a commanding six-stroke lead in the girls’ 7-10 division yesterday, headlining an explosive opening round of the ICTSI Beverly Place Junior PGT Championship at the Beverly Place Golf Club in Pampanga.

Despite a 40-minute stoppage due to looming lightning threats, the massive 96-player field – one of the largest and most competitive of the season – refused to let the stifling conditions cool their fire.

Nobody embodied that relentless spirit better than Cervantes. The Assumption College standout, currently sitting precariously in 10th place in the standings with just 8 points, looked like a long shot after a struggling seven-over-par frontside round. But she mastered the unpredictable greens on the back nine, gunning down birdies on Nos. 11, 16 and 17 to pull away by six from Andrea Dee, who faltered with an 81.

Should Cervantes hold on to win the maximum 15 points, she will leapfrog the absent No. 4 ranked Laura Pablo, turning the final leg at Eagle Ridge into an absolute blockbuster.

Jehanne Mendoza posted an 86, Adrianna Cabrera and Cecilia Mamauag matched 88s, and Gwyneth Handog and Elizabeth Laurel carded identical 90s