Lisa Sarines' Commanding Lead Crumbles in Gripping Sibling Showdown
In a dramatic turn of events at the ICTSI Mount Malarayat Junior PGT Championship in Batangas, rising golf star Lisa Sarines experienced a late-round meltdown that transformed what seemed like a sure victory into a nail-biting sibling duel. The tournament, which kicked off the Luzon series of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour on Monday, April 6, saw Sarines initially building a commanding lead in the premier girls' 15-18 division, only to stumble in the closing holes.
From Comfort to Crisis on the Course
Fresh off a dominant performance in the 11-14 category last year, Lisa Sarines appeared firmly in control as she stood on the par-4 16th hole with a comfortable five-shot cushion over her twin sister, Mona Sarines. However, the momentum shifted abruptly when Lisa carded a double bogey on No. 16, followed by two more dropped shots on the next hole. The challenging conditions, including rising heat, gusty winds, and increasingly firm greens, took their toll, resulting in a shaky 36-43 card that reduced her lead to a precarious two strokes.
"It was a decent round, but 7-over isn't the score I wanted," Lisa admitted after the round. "I missed a lot of opportunities and wasn't hitting the ball well." She cited the hot and windy weather as a significant factor, noting difficulties in judging her shots accurately. Despite the setback, she remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of staying focused, positive, and enjoying the game.
Mona Sarines Capitalizes on Opening
Sensing an opportunity, Mona Sarines stayed within striking distance, closing with a par-bogey-par finish for an 81 to keep the pressure on heading into the next round of the 54-hole tournament. This sibling rivalry has effectively narrowed the title race to a two-player showdown, as other contenders struggled: Alexie Gabi posted an 86, Kendra Garingalao carded an 89, and Rafa Anciano fell back with a 90.
Boys' Division Dominated by Shinichi Suzuki
In the boys' 15-18 division, Shinichi Suzuki showcased remarkable resilience, bouncing back from an early double bogey to fire an impressive 71. His performance included a flurry of birdies, with three in his last four holes, building an imposing six-shot lead over Tristan Padilla, who carded a 77.
"It was shaky at the start with a double bogey on No. 2, but chipping in for birdie on the fourth gave me momentum," said the 17-year-old Suzuki, a student at St. Francis of Assisi College in Biñan, Laguna. "I made six birdies to offset three bogeys for a 71." He emphasized the importance of staying hydrated in the heat, refilling his water bottle multiple times to maintain consistency throughout the round.
Suzuki added that a win would be a great start to the season and help him earn points for the finals, which he missed last year, crediting his short game for the strong comeback and commanding lead. Other notable scores in the division included Patrick Tambalque bogeying his final two holes for a 79, dropping into a tie for third with Geoffrey Tan and Jakob Taruc, while Enzo Cham turned in an 80, and Andres Fabie and Mico Ungco matched 81s.
Tight Races in Younger Divisions
The competition was equally intense in the younger categories. In the boys' 11-14 division, Chan Ahn shot a 78 to lead by one stroke over Jacob Casuga and Ryuji Suzuki, who both carded 79s. A tightly packed group followed, including Race Manhit (81), Ryuichi Tao (82), Vito Sarines (83), and Miguel Orbita (85), setting up a tense final round in the 36-hole tournament.
"The round was on and off, but I'm glad I managed my game and kept my composure," said Ahn. "I just need to focus on my tempo and mental game." He added that despite the heat, he handled the conditions well.
Meanwhile, in the girls' 11-14 category, Maurysse Abalos grabbed a slim lead with a 79, edging out Aerin Chan (80). Quincy Pilac stayed within striking distance with an 81, while Avery Sytengco and Mavis Espedido posted scores of 82 and 84, respectively.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the Sarines sisters' duel and whether Suzuki can maintain his dominance, making this event a thrilling showcase of emerging talent in Philippine junior golf.
