Rolando Bregente survived a cold putting day to edge Emilio Hernandez, 1-up, and advance to the men’s final of the NGAP National Match Play Championship against big-hitting Shinichi Suzuki on Saturday at rain-softened Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Bregente, the top seed, appeared in control after building a three-hole lead with four holes to play, but Hernandez mounted a furious comeback before the national pool member steadied himself with a routine par on the 18th to close out the match.

“I really struggled to make putts, even from as close to driver-length attempts,” said the 24-year-old Bregente, who is seeking a national title to add to his collection of trophies.

He will face Suzuki, an 18-year-old long-time member of the Philippine national pool who advanced with a 2&1 victory over 14-year-old Ralph Batican.

“It would really be an interesting match,” Bregente said of his showdown with Suzuki. “He outhits me by a considerable distance. It’s going to be a tough match.”

Suzuki is coming off a stint in the US Men’s Amateur and will be looking to cap his campaign with another major amateur title.

In the women’s division, 15-year-old Precious Zaragosa rallied from two holes down after 14 to defeat Lisa Sarines, 2-up, setting up a championship clash with top seed Grace Quintanilla.

Zaragosa seized control by winning the final four holes, including back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17. She drained a birdie putt from close range on the picturesque 17th to go 1-up before Sarines conceded the 18th after missing a long birdie attempt.

“I am super excited to play in the finals,” said Zaragosa, who is seeking her first Match Play crown and first national title in the women’s division. She won the Girls’ Amateur Championship in May last year.

Zaragosa will face Quintanilla, who used her experience to defeat 14-year-old Nicole Gan of Immaculate Conception Academy, 4&2.

Quintanilla played 16 holes without a single bogey while making two birdies to put down her young opponent.

“I started slow but kept my patience. Nicole played well today. Her short game and putting were excellent,” she said.

“I haven’t played with Precious for quite some time now. I’m excited.”

The victory kept Quintanilla on course for a second national title in less than a month. She won the Singapore Amateur Open on 18 July after prevailing in a five-hole playoff over Xiziyan Wang of Hong Kong-China.

The Texas State University standout, who skipped last week’s Stroke Play event, proved too strong for Gan, closing out the semifinal with a dominant 4&2 victory.

Zaragosa, meanwhile, will be playing Quintanilla in a match-play setting for the first time but said she is ready for the challenge.

“There are no nerves, just excitement for Saturday,” she said.

She also draws inspiration from her older brother Rupert, now a professional who enjoyed a storied amateur career and began winning national titles at 14.

“That’s a motivation, to follow in his footsteps,” Precious said.

Saturday’s 36-hole finals will pit Bregente against Suzuki in the men’s division and Zaragosa against Quintanilla in the women’s, with both titles up for grabs at Luisita.