Manila, Philippines - Gabriel Manotoc pulled off a stirring 3&2 victory over second seed Jama Reyes to spark a string of reversals in the Philippine Junior Closed Championship at the Alabang Golf Club yesterday.
The 13-year-old Manotoc pounced on Reyes’ double bogey mishap on No. 4 to seize control then nailed a clutch five-footer for par on the next for a 2-up lead.
After battling Reyes, 15, on even terms in the next seven holes, Manotoc drained a curling 25-footer for birdie then watched his rival flub a 10-footer to go 3-up en route to the quarterfinal round of the tournament presented by Pancake House and SOC Land and backed by the Herma Group, Great Depot, Callaway and Odyssey Golf.
The top-ranked Ruperto Zaragosa was the only top four bet who advanced after bundling out Kristopher Arevalo, 6&5.
Manotoc next faces lefty Andres Saldana, a 16-year-old, who took out Gio Gangiongco, 2&1.
Zaragosa battles Eric Gallardo, a 3&1 winner over Gus Mata, for a place in the Final Four.
Daniella Gonzales, the girls’ top seed, took out LK Go, 5&3 with Mia Legaspi bundling out Nikki Bruce 9&8, to march on.
Lloyd Go saw off No. 4 seed Basti Lorenzo, 1-up, and will next square off with long-hitting Miggy Yee, a 4&3 winner over JP De Claro, with Justin Quiban and Aris Mata clashing in the final quarterfinal match.
Quiban took out third-seeded Miguel Shah, 1-up in 19 holes, while Aris Mata was simply too good for AR Ramos in a 5&4 triumph.
Felicia Medalla, Maan Legaspi, Daniella Uy, Princess Superal, Samantha Martirez and Maria Monsalve also defeated opening round foes to advance.