North keeps ICTSI JPGT crown

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – North proved once again that in team golf, chemistry can travel farther than home-course familiarity.

Showing that they can dominate both head-to-head duels and coordinated team play with equal intensity, the Northerners shrugged off the unfamiliar surroundings, punishing heat and a fired-up home side to retain their crown in the ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Championship with an emphatic 29-19 victory yesterday at South’s home turf at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here.

North dominated the Singles, 14 1/2-9 1/2.

North, needing just 10 points from the 24 head-to-head matches to retain the crown, won six of the first seven duels – ignited by Jaicee Cervantes’ 7&5 romp over Blake Aguilar in girls’ 7-10 – and halved the other, further underscoring the visiting side’s class, resolve and poise, which have defined its imposing performance all week.

The last 3 1/2 points took longer than expected, but North eventually completed the inevitable in thrilling fashion, with Zoji Edoc turning a losing stand into a clutch victory. Edoc won the final five holes in a dramatic comeback, rallying from three down to snatch a 2-up triumph over Ethan Lago and match Cervantes’ unbeaten run.