By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Tashanah Balangauan staged a gritty comeback against Precious Zaragosa to win the girls’ 15-18 division title by two strokes Wednesday at the ICTSI Negros Occidental Junior PGT Championship in Bacolod City.
The 16-year-old Cebuana had a round of 75 to beat Zaragoza by two with a 54-hole total of 12-over 222. Zaragosa settled for a 79 and a 224 total, while Breanna Rojas carded a 93 to finish third with a 285.
“I trusted my preparation and just focused on each shot. Every time I go through my routine, I commit fully. I tried not to hesitate –just play with confidence,” Balangauan said after claiming her second win in the Visayas-Mindanao leg of the Junior Philippine Golf Tour.
She has earned 30 points from her back-to-back wins, improving to No. 4 in the rankings and boosting her bid for an Elite Junior Finals slot.
Zaragosa, meanwhile, moved to third with 34 points.
Crista Miñoza and Zero Plete secured the top two spots with 39 and 37 points, respectively –virtually locking in their berths in the North vs. South Finals scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 3 at The Country Club.
Meanwhile, hometown favorite John Paul Oro carded a 75 to secure the boys title with a 54-hole total of 222.
Alexis Nailga settled for runner-up honors with a 72 and a 225, while Azie Acuña carded a 78 to finish third at 230. (PNA)
