Davao bets storm back, sizzle at Apo

DAVAO CITY — After settling for one victory at South Pacific, Davao’s young golfers stormed back strong in the opening round of the ICTSI Apo Golf Junior PGT Championship at the Apo Golf and Country Club here on Monday.

No performance stood out more than Lucas Revilleza’s impressive surge, as the eight-year-old tapped into his familiarity with the challenging layout to card a one-under 71, sharing the lead with Cagayan de Oro's Jamie Barnes in the boys’ 7-10 division.

The Rizal Memorial Colleges Inc. student overcame early nerves with steady play, firing four birdies against three bogeys to put himself in prime position for a breakthrough victory. Revilleza previously placed third at Del Monte, second at Pueblo de Oro, and third again at South Pacific.

“I was nervous at first but I stayed focus and kept my faith,” said Revilleza, who bogeyed No. 4 but bounced back with two birdies over the next three holes. He closed out with two more birdies, including a pressure-packed putt from pin-length range to negate a pair of late bogeys.

“I hope I can win this in my home course,” added Revilleza, who is targeting a two-under total to finally clinch his first win in the four-leg Mindanao swing of the seven-stage Visayas-Mindanao Series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Standing in his way, however, is Barnes — the consistent and composed standout who swept the first three legs of the Mindanao series in an impressive JPGT debut.

Despite trailing Revilleza by three shots late in the round after a double bogey on the par-3 11th, he showed his grit by birdieing Nos. 13 and 14.

Barnes then capped off his round with back-to-back birdies, including a dazzling up-and-down from the bunker on the 18th to match Revilleza at one-under.

“I think I played well and made a lot of birdies,” said Barnes, who admitted he’s barely played Apo in practice. “I like the course. It’s hard, but the greens are pretty easy. I’m not used to playing on slow greens — I like the fast ones. Hopefully, I can win again.”

Cebu’s Kvan Alburo trailed at third with a 77, while Shaqeeq Tanog and James Rolida struggled with rounds of 85 and 90, respectively.

Meanwhile, Davaoeña Soleil Molde remained on track for back-to-back wins in the girls’ 7-10 category despite a 78.

The Living Learning Home School student, who dominated the Del Monte leg, took a comfortable 11-stroke lead as Pueblo de Oro winner Claren Quiño stumbled with an 89. Zoey Mascariñas and Kassandra Morente carded 93 and 103, respectively.

“I struggled with my driving and putting, but I’m confident. God is with me and it’s all up to Him,” said Molde. “We’re gonna plan — and let God do the bigger one.”

South Cotabato’s Jared Saban, meanwhile, also moved 18 holes away from scoring back-to-back victories after nailing his first leg win at South Pacific last week, wresting a one-shot lead over Valencia’s Marcus Dueñas despite a 77.