Anciano edges Rada in playoff; Padilla triumphs

BAGUIO, Philippines — Rafa Anciano and pal Chloe Rada injected excitement and intensity into the girls’ division of the premier age category of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour Luzon Series 3 with the former clinching the dramatic win on the second playoff hole here Thursday.

In front of the fringe on the par-4 18th of the Pinewoods Golf and Country Club, Anciano calmly chipped to within three feet, then sank the par-saving putt to claim victory. Meanwhile, Rada’s attempt to blast out of the right greenside bunker left her well short of the target, resulting in a long putt which she missed.

Despite the pressure of the competition, Anciano emphasized the shared passion and enjoyment they both found in the playoff.

“There was pressure but we’re both passionate. We were just really having fun in the playoff, but I just stayed calm and positive,” said the Homeschool Global student, who savored her victory after finishing second and third last year.

In the boys’ category, Tristan Padilla dominated with an emphatic 11-shot victory. Leading Charles Serdenia by nine strokes after 54 holes, Padilla extended his lead with a frontside 36.

Despite Serdenia’s rally, featuring three birdies in the first four holes of the backside, the 15-year-old Padilla, who finished second at Pradera Verde, maintained his lead, finishing with a three-under 285 total after a 68 spiked by a solid backside 32.