Brittany Tamayo and Ralph Batican stamped their class with decisive victories in the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Mactan Island Junior Philippine Golf Tour Championship in Cebu on Tuesday. The tournament, which was the first leg of the seven-part Visayas-Mindanao Series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., saw the two young golfers rise to the top of their respective age categories. Tamayo, a rising talent from South Cotabato, clinched the girls’ title with a closing 73 and a 36-hole total of 150, while Batican completed a wire-to-wire victory with a three-under 65 and a four-shot win on an even 136 total. The two 13-year-olds were the biggest winners in the 11 to 14 age category.
In the girls’ category, Tamayo capitalized on a faltering finish by overnight leader Zuri Bagaloyos of Mandaue to win the title. Bagaloyos faltered with a costly triple bogey on the par-four No. 8 for a final-round 79 and a second-place finish at 155. Margaux Espina finished third after an 82 for a 159, followed by Rafella Batican’s 79 for 160.
Batican, on the other hand, extended his two-stroke overnight lead with five birdies and just two bogeys over 11 holes. His second straight birdie on the par-five 15th sealed an impressive three-under 65 marred by a last-hole mishap for a four-shot win. Ken Guillermo mounted a spirited rally highlighted by an eagle on the 15th, but ultimately ran out of holes in his comeback bid and matched Batican’s 65 for runner-up honors at 140. Jared Saban of South Cotabato matched par 68 and slipped to third at 141.
In the youngest girls’ category, Denise Mendoza reaffirmed her dominance with a commanding 15-stroke victory over Sistine Marie Yu. Despite a shaky final-round 84 following her opening 76, the Cebuana’s 160 total was more than enough to secure the victory. Yu, unable to capitalize on Mendoza’s struggles, fell short of mounting a comeback—trailing by 19, the Cagayan de Oro standout closed with an 80 for a 175 total and a runner-up finish.
In the boys’ 7-10 division, Davao’s Ethan Lago turned what was expected to be a tight contest against Kvan Alburo into a decisive win. Lago pulled ahead with a steady frontside 41, building a three-stroke lead, and then capitalized on Alburo’s costly quadruple bogey on No. 10 to cruise to a seven-stroke victory. Lago closed with a second 78 for a 156 total, winning by 11 strokes over Alburo.
In the premier 15-18 girls’ division, Tashanah Balangauan fired a one-over frontside 36 en route to a second straight 73, posting a 36-hole total of 146. Bukidnon’s Alexis Nailga pulled away from tight battles with composed frontside performances, finishing with a 69 for a 146 total and a five-shot lead over Nyito Tiongko. The 15-year-old Balangauan surged ahead with a commanding seven-shot lead over new pursuer Crista Miñoza of Bukidnon, while Nailga’s victory, along with those of Tamayo, Batican, and Lago, underscored Mindanaoans’ early dominance in the Vis-Min series.
