CHAMPIONS. Zero Plete (2nd from left) and Alexis Nailga (3rd from left) display their medals after ruling the 13-15 age category of the ICTSI JPGT Mindanao Series 3 at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon on Thursday (Aug. 8, 2024). With them are ICTSI’s Ronnel Javier (left) and Del Monte Senior manager and Del Monte Jungolf chairman Robert Sindol (right). (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Zero Plete beat Isabella Tabanas with a birdie in the playoff to capture the girls’ 13-15 title of the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series 3 at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon on Thursday.
Plete was behind by three shots at the start of the final round but came back with a birdie-filled back nine. She had a one-stroke lead to the 18th hole, but Tabanas also had a birdie from six feet to force a playoff at 224.
Plete closed with a 73 and Tabanas with a 76.
Both struggled with their approach on the par-5 18th.
Tabanas miscalculated her shot from 50 yards while Plete’s ball barely reached the fringe from a closer spot.
As Tabanas’ chip shot from 20 yards left her five feet past the hole for a possible par, Plete delivered an amazing putt from 10 feet to claim victory.
“It was nerve-wracking on the last hole. Playing against my best friend in a playoff was very scary. Winning this series for the first time is a huge achievement for me, though I know it will bring more pressure,” Plete said.
Finalist Rane Chiu from Cebu placed third with a 248 after an 80.
Meanwhile, Alexis Nailga defeated fellow local player Clement Ordeneza by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 219 to secure the boys title.
Nailga, who was second to AJ Wacan at South Pacific, matched Ordeneza’s last three pars to card a 73.
“I was pressured after bogeying No. 15, but I stayed focused. This win boosts my confidence, but I’m aware of the pressure to perform in the next tournament," said the 15-year-old Nailga from Montessori Academy.
Ordeneza also finished with a 73 for a 222, while Luciano Copok from Manila took third with a 236 after a 79.
In the 16-18 category, Ally Gaccion of Cagayan de Oro won the girls title with a 71 and a 54-hole aggregate of three-under 213. The boys title went to Cliff Nuñeza. (PNA)
