CAGAYAN DE ORO — Nine-year-old Claren Quiño of Bukidnon wasn’t going to let the host bets sweep the show.
Under final-round pressure and tricky course conditions, Quiño dug deep to clinch the girls’ 7-10 title at the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Junior PGT Championship — denying Cagayan de Oro a clean sweep of the event’s four age-group titles.
Despite a closing 84 that featured six bogeys and three double bogeys, the Del Monte School standout held her nerve and finished with a two-day total of 165 — enough to edge out local hopefuls Francesca Geroy and Abby Qiu.
“I was happy but nervous when I took the lead,” Quiño shared with a shy smile. “On No. 9, I got a bit cheeky since my friends were watching.”
But the nerves never got the better of her. Qiu made a strong push with an 83, but Quiño stayed steady and won by three shots. Geroy, who led after Day 1, faltered with a 92 and had to settle for third.
More than just a win, it was a breakthrough for Quiño — and for Bukidnon — proving that the homegrown CDO talents weren’t the only ones who came to play.
“It taught me to never give up,” she said.
CDO’s Jamie Barnes keeps rolling
On the boys’ side, hometown ace Jamie Barnes continued his dominant run in the 7-10 division.
After a runaway win at Del Monte, the 9-year-old made it two-for-two in his debut Junior PGT campaign with rounds of 71 and 78 for a 149 total — nine shots clear of Davao’s Miguel Revilleza, who also carded a 78 in the final round.
“I played okay but my putting wasn’t so good again,” Barnes admitted. “But it doesn’t matter what the score is — you just have to have fun.”
Shaqeeq Tanog, who briefly threatened, faded in the heat with an 84 to finish third at 163.
Espina, Guillermo also shine in 11-14 divisions
In the 11-14 girls’ category, Margaux Espina of CDO was steady from start to finish, closing with an 84 for a 165 total — good enough to beat Bukidnon’s Angel Wahing by 13 shots. Wahing tallied a 91 for 178, while Yvonne Colim placed third (93-180).
Espina, 12, credited her family for keeping her grounded and inspired.
“My driving, fairway woods, and pitching really worked,” she said. “Even when I hit a bad shot, my pitching helped me save par. My parents and grandparents have been supporting me all the way — I know they’re proud.”
Over in the boys’ 11-14, Ken Guillermo made it back-to-back wins after his Del Monte victory. The Xavier U–Ateneo de Cagayan golfer posted an even-par 144 (70-74) and cruised to a 10-stroke triumph over Marcus Dueñas (77-77-154). Blademher Estologa came in third at 161.
“It wasn’t too exciting — just par golf,” Guillermo said modestly. “I’m more relieved than excited. But I’m proud because I practiced for two weeks straight. It was worth it.”