CHASE CONTINUES: Gabi eyes JPGT national finals

CHASE CONTINUES: Gabi eyes JPGT national finals | Daily Tribune

Alexie Gabi is determined to settle an unfinished business as the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) resumes Tuesday at Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite.

Narrowly missing a national finals berth in the Visayas series, Gabi seeks redemption in the Luzon Series 4 in pursuit of a coveted berth in the Match Play finals.

Gabi excelled in the girls’ 13-15 category in Iloilo and secured third place finishes in Murcia, Binitin and Negros Occidental in Bacolod as hee strong performances in the Visayas series kept her in contention.

However, Rane Chiu’s playoff victory over Tiffany Bernardino in Negros edged her out of the national finals.

Chiu and Bernardino, along with 14 other players across various age categories (8-9, 10-12, 13-15, 16-18), secured spots in the Match Play Championship set for 1 to 4 October at The Country Club in Laguna.

The Luzon series, after three tournaments at Splendido Taal, Pradera Verde and Pinewoods, will continue with its fourth leg at Riviera. Players can enter multiple events, but only their best results will count towards the final rankings.

The top 72 players will advance to the national finals, with four spots available from each category in the seven-leg Luzon series and two berths in the Mindanao series of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

But Gabi, who hails from Gen. Santos City, will face stiff competition from Levonne Talion, Maria Monserrat Lapuz, Kendra Garingalao and Ayesha Salino.

In the boys’ 13-15 category, Ramon Fabie and Santi Asuncion are expected to lead the charge, along with Gavin Chua, Jose Carlos Taruc, Matthias Espina, Miguel Encarnacion, Jayden Macatangay and Clark Bayani.

The premier 16-18 class features Rafa Anciano, who recently won a sudden death victory over Chloe Rada at Pinewoods. Casey Frankum, Gabriela Sison, Iloilo’s Necky Tortosa and Rada will also be strong contenders.

The boys’ 16-18 title chase is wide open, with Bacolod leg winner Patrick Tambalque, Harry Sales, Alonso Espartero, Francis Slavin and others vying for top honors.

Vito Sarines, with victories at Splendido and Pinewoods, is a favorite in the boys’ 10-12 division.

The girls’ 10-12 category will see a showdown between Splendido leg winner Maurysse Abalos, Pradera Verde champion Georgina Handog, and other contenders like Quincy Pilac and Aerin Chua.

Following the Riviera tournament, the Mindanao swing will commence on 23 to July 26 at Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao.

Subsequent stops include South Pacific Golf Club (30 July to 2 August), Del Monte Golf Club (6 to 9 August), and Pueblo de Oro Golf Club (12 to 15 August).