Dungca pulls off Pradera comeback
LUBAO, Pampanga — Ronee Dungca showed her breakthrough win at Riviera was no fluke, mounting a gutsy comeback from four strokes behind before holding her nerve in the clutch to snatch the girls’ 7-10 title in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship on Wednesday.
Displaying the composure of a seasoned pro, the nine-year-old from Angeles City opened hot at Pradera Verde’s Pinatubo course, racking up four birdies in her first 10 holes. She added another on the 12th, but stumbled with bogeys on 13 and 16 to settle for a 69 — enough to complete a two-day total of 143.
Espedido, who looked untouchable after a 70 on Day 1, tried to shut the door with a late birdie-eagle burst from No. 16 to briefly retake the lead. But a costly double bogey on the last hole handed the win to Dungca, as Espedido signed for a 74 and a 144 total.
“I focused more on my short game, and it really paid off with a good score,” said Dungca, a student at OB Montessori in Angeles. She admitted the two late bogeys frustrated her, blaming shaky chip shots and putting, but added, “I just stayed relaxed, focused, and enjoyed the game.”
Venus delos Santos wound up third at 151 after a 76. Penelope Sy birdied late to salvage an 80 for fourth, while Tyra Garingalao matched that score to take fifth.
With one Luzon leg left — at Camp John Hay in Baguio next week — the scramble for the last three spots in the Elite Junior Finals for the girls’ 7-10 division is down to the wire.
Edoc brothers shine in boys’ play
In the youngest boys’ category, Zoji Edoc romped to his second straight leg title and third overall, cruising to an 11-shot win despite a closing 78. “What I learned today is to focus more on each shot and make solid contact,” said Edoc, who admitted struggling with his long game all day.
In the boys’ 11-14 class, older brother Zianbeau kept his finals hopes alive with a second straight win after skipping the first four legs. His 70 gave him a 141 total, two shots clear of Vito Sarines, who fired a 69. “I’ve learned the importance of starting strong and reading the greens better,” said Zianbeau, who overcame a triple bogey on his opening hole with five birdies the rest of the way.
Sarines sisters battle in girls’ 11-14
Lisa Sarines outdueled twin sister Mona with a sizzling 68 for a four-under total and her third leg crown. “It feels very refreshing and relieving,” said Lisa, crediting her coach for pushing her harder. Mona matched her opening 71 to finish two shots behind, while Kendra Garingalao rebounded from a 78 with a 73 to keep her hold on third in the rankings.
Pak delivers ace in girls’ 15-18
Korean standout Seeun Pak all but wrapped up her division, building a nine-shot lead with a 78 in the second round of the 54-hole contest.
The 18-year-old from Mimosa Plus thrilled the gallery with a hole-in-one on the 146-yard second hole, using an 8-iron and ProV1x 3 ball — just one hole after a double bogey. She was rewarded with a certificate, vouchers, and P5,000 cash from the host club.
Villaroman in control in boys’ 15-18
In the boys’ premier division, Zachary Villaroman pulled away with a two-under 70, highlighted by an eagle on No. 6 and a birdie on No. 9 for the second straight day. “I made a lot more short putts today compared to yesterday, and I made an eagle,” said the 17-year-old, eyeing his first leg title after several close calls. Jose Carlos Taruc slipped six shots back after a 75, while Kristoffer Nadales sits in third.
