CAGAYAN DE ORO — Team North squandered a commanding lead but held its nerve late to escape with a crucial 7-5 victory over South in Foursomes in Day 2 of the ICTSI North vs. South Elite Junior PGT Championship at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club here Wednesday.

North raced to an imposing 8-4 advantage midway through the alternate-shot format, but South mounted a spirited comeback and pulled within striking distance.

The hosts needed to win the final two matches to force an overall 6-6 draw for the day. North, however, salvaged two crucial halves in the boys’ and girls’ 15-18 divisions to preserve its advantage.

Jakob Taruc and Nathan Belandres battled back from three holes down to force Clement Ordeneza and Sebastian Sajuela into an all-square finish, while Mona Sarines and Kendra Garingalao likewise halved their match against Tashanah Balanguan and Precious Zaragosa.

The two halves gave North the 7-5 win and stretched its overnight three-point lead to five, 14 1/2-9 1/2, heading into Thursday’s deciding Singles matches.

“The two all-square matches were very crucial for us. That gave us a 7-5 win today. It was unexpected, but we’re very fortunate to have that win. Credit to the players for putting their heart out,” said North captain Joey Anciano.

Anciano said North had entered the Foursomes expecting a close battle.

“Actually, the plan was, at the very least, we get 6-6 today because alternate is a very, very hard format. It’s very unpredictable. So we’re very fortunate that we saved an all-square for the two matches to have a two-point lead today,” he said.

South captain Boyet Zaragosa pointed to the boys’ 15-18 division as the team’s biggest missed opportunity.

“What failed for us was the boys’ 15-18. We were 3-up going into the last four holes, but they managed to tie the match. Overall, it was a good lineup,” Zaragosa said.

Despite the five-point deficit, Zaragosa remained confident heading into the Singles.

“We’ll fight tomorrow,” he said.

South rallies late

North came out strongly, winning four of the first five matches, including a sweep of the boys’ 11-14 division.

South answered in the boys’ 7-10 class, where Stephen Clementer and Ethan Lago edged Zach Guico and Kingston Ching, 1-up, after Lago hit a clutch bunker shot close to the pin and Clementer converted the winning putt on No. 18.

North’s Zoji Edoc and Kenzo Tan responded with a 3&1 victory over Lucas Revilleza and Darren Ong.

Javie Bautista and Jacob Casuga also bounced back from their Four-ball setback, beating Jared Saban and Ken Guillermo, 5&4, while Chan Ahn and Vito Sarines routed Ralph Batican and Mico Woo, 6&4, in boys’ 11-14.

North likewise gained ground in the girls’ divisions, with Jaicee Cervantes and Andrea Dee beating Vanya Go and Soleil Molde, 2&1.

South answered through Akeisha Yocte and Blake Aguilar, who defeated Winter Serapio and Jehanne Mendoza, 2&1.

In boys’ 15-18, North’s Shin Suzuki and Santi Asuncion remained unbeaten as a partnership after a 4&3 victory over Alexis Nailga and Roman Tiongko.

Cailey Gonzales and Georgina Handog added another North point in girls’ 11-14, edging Brittany Tamayo and Rafella Batican, 1-up.

South then mounted its late charge, with Zuri Bacaloyos and Marqaela Dy beating Mavis Espedido and Quincy Pilac, 2-up, in girls’ 11-14.

Apple Gotiong and Lois Lane Go followed with a 5&3 victory over Lisa Sarines and Rafa Anciano, giving South the momentum it needed heading into the final matches.

But North held on through the two late halves.

Anciano said the team would seek to capitalize on its five-point cushion in the Singles.

“We hope that the first seven to 10 matches would be in our favor, so we can win the tournament,” he said.

Zaragosa acknowledged the challenge of overturning the deficit, particularly in the 7-10 division.

“We’re a bit down in the 7-10 category, but we still have a chance in the other matches,” he said.

He added that momentum could prove decisive in the match-play format.

“It’s difficult to match up because all of them (North) are very good. But it still depends on who gets off to a good start because in match play, it’s more about momentum. But it will be exciting,” he said.

North also carried a 14 1/2-9 1/2 lead after the first two team formats last year before beating South, 26 1/2-21 1/2, at The Country Club.

With another five-point advantage heading into Thursday’s Singles, North is again within reach of the overall title — but South has one final opportunity to turn its comeback into a complete reversal.