Bacolod city: Ralph and Rafella Batican are aiming for podium finishes in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Junior PGT Championship which kicks off Monday at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.
According to Philippines News Agency, the siblings from Bukidnon are also seeking crucial points in the penultimate leg of the seven-stage Visayas-Mindanao regional series to boost their chances of securing a slot to the elite junior finals scheduled Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at The Country Club in Laguna. They saw action only in the first of five tournaments due to international commitments.
In the 11-14 category, Ralph is No. 8 in the boys' division with 15 points, while Rafella is No. 10 with eight points. In the Mactan, Cebu leg in May, Ralph topped his division, while Rafella placed fourth. Players must participate in at least three of the seven legs to qualify for the finals, with the top four in each age division (7-10, 11-14, and 15-18) advancing to the national finals.
A win is worth 15 points, while second to fourth places earn 12, 10, and 8 points, respectively. Ralph is behind division leaders Ken Guillermo (42), Jared Saban (40), Marcus Due±as (36), and Mico Woo (22), along with Laurence Saban and Guio Pasquil (20 apiece). He will be challenged by JM Sabrosa, Luigi Alvarez, Romel Pactolerin, Bacolod bets Isaan Locsin, Lance Ortaliz, Mehaan Gidwani, Zach Casil, Rafael Alvarez, Anthony Juanico, and Xian Travi±a, and Cebu's Miguel Mesina.
The girls' division is currently led by Brittany Tamayo (45) followed by Kimberly Baroquillo (39), Isabella Espina (35), and Zuri Bagaloyos (30). Rafella must break into the top four to earn a finals berth, with just two tournaments remaining, including the final leg in Binitin, Murcia on Sept. 18. She is expected to face a tough challenge from Bagaloyos, who is also looking to improve her standing and secure a spot in the national finals.
Cebu's Denise Mendoza and Bacolod's Ana Marie Aguilar will be up against Faith Reosura, Yumi Park, and Aria Montelibano in the girls' 7-10 category, while Ethan Lago, James Rolida, Shaqeeq Tanog, Lucas Revilleza, and Tobias Tiongko are the title contenders in the boys' division. In the premier 15-18 division to be contested over 54 holes, Mactan leg winner Tashanah Balangauan leads the girls' division. Alexis Nailga will try to sustain his form in the boys' division against Inno Flores, Manu Tiongko, Blake Bautista, Mhark Fernando III, and twins John Rey and John Paul Oro.