Tashanah Balangauan of Cebu (right) and Alexis Nailga of Bukidnon show their medals during the awarding ceremony of the ICTSI Junior PGT Championship at the Mactan Island Golf Course in Cebu on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). Balangauan tallied 224 to win the girls’ title while Nailga ruled the boys’ division by 10 strokes in the 15-18 category. (Contributed photo)
Cebuana golfer Tashanah Balangauan made an impressive debut in the ICTSI Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Championship, clinching the girls’ 15-18 division title at the Mactan Island Golf Course in Cebu on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old standout opened the tournament with consecutive rounds of 73, establishing a commanding seven-shot lead heading into the final day. Despite overcast skies, she closed with a 78 to seal the victory with a 54-hole total of 224.
Her win also earned her 15 ranking points, strengthening her bid for a spot in the North vs. South Elite Junior Finals.
“I’m happy and grateful to win in my first JPGT tournament. This experience gave me valuable insights into what I need to improve for my next tournaments,” said Balangauan, a student at St. Benedict Childhood Education Center.
Precious Zaragosa took second place with a final-round 77 for a total of 231, followed by Crista Miñoza (233) and Lois Laine Go (235), who carded scores of 80 and 79, respectively.
In the boys’ 15-18 division, Bukidnon’s Alexis Nailga delivered a stellar final-round performance, firing a two-under-par 66 to secure the title. His 54-hole total of 212, which included a second-round 69, featured a stretch of birdies on holes 4, 5, 7, 14, and 15.
Cebu’s Nyito Tiongko posted a final-round 71 to finish second at 222, while Zeus Suzara placed third with a 237 after shooting 75.
Other age-group winners included Ralph Batican of Bukidnon (boys’ 11-14), Brittany Tamayo of South Cotabato (girls’ 11-14), Ethan Lago of Davao (boys’ 7-10), and Denise Mendoza of Cebu (girls’ 7-10).
The seven-leg Visayas-Mindanao Series, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., continues at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club from May 14 to 16, followed by the Bacolod leg from May 19 to 21. The Mindanao leg tees off at Del Monte Golf Club from June 25 to 27.
To qualify for the national finals, participants must compete in at least three tournaments. The top four players in each age division will represent the Visayas-Mindanao squad in the season-ending championship against Luzon’s best, scheduled for September 30 to October 2 at The Country Club in Laguna.