Eliana Dumalaog and Jared Saban Secure Victories at JPGT Pueblo Finals
Cagayan de Oro – Eliana Dumalaog clinched the girls’ 10-12 category title after an intense playoff at the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 4 held at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club. In a dramatic finish, Dumalaog needed two extra holes to defeat her competitors, Rafella Batican and Isabella Espina. In the boys’ category, Jared Saban staged a remarkable comeback to win, overcoming an eight-shot deficit.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dumalaog encountered a challenging final round, finishing with an 80 after a double-bogey on the ninth hole. This score tied her with Batican and Espina, each carding 79s to culminate at 161. The playoff saw all three golfers return to the ninth hole, where Dumalaog secured her win with a 15-foot birdie putt, while her opponents missed their chances.
“I was so nervous; my legs and hands were shaking during the playoff. But after I hit my drive, I felt pretty good – it was a solid shot, and I approached my second shot with confidence since I’ve practiced those kinds of shots. I was thrilled when I made the putt,” Dumalaog stated, reflecting on her performance.
Despite her victory, Dumalaog did not qualify for the upcoming Match Play Championship, as previous tournaments yielded only fifth-place finishes. Conversely, Rafella Batican and Brittany Tamayo, who have consistently performed well in earlier series, secured their spots for the finals scheduled from October 1-4 at The Country Club in Laguna.
In the boys’ 10-12 category, Jared Saban shot a bogey-free 67 in his final round, surpassing Ralph Batican by three strokes with a total score of 146. Saban’s focus was evident as he excelled in the critical moments of the competition, particularly with a birdie on the par-5 17th hole while Ralph Batican faltered with a double-bogey.
“I just stayed focused,” said Saban, who along with Batican, ensured his place in the finals after both accumulated 30 points.
Additional qualifiers included Shaqeeq Muhafiz Tanog and James Benedict Rolida in the boys’ 8-9 class, alongside Francesca Geroy and Mavis Espedido in the girls division, all of whom demonstrated significant skill and resilience throughout the tournament.