The ICTSI Bacolod Junior PGT Championship ended with a storybook twist on Friday as Bukidnon’s young golf prodigy Rafella Batican found an unlikely way into the prestigious Elite Finals—while her older brother Ralph delivered a dominant statement of his own.
At just 11 years old, Rafella turned nerves into resilience at the notoriously tricky Binitin layout. Closing with a 77, she not only clinched the needed points but also edged into the last Finals berth on countback, outlasting absent rival Isabella Espina. It was a backdoor entry that felt more like destiny.
“I really felt the pressure, but I’m just so excited,” said Rafella, flashing the relief of someone who earned her ticket the hard way. She now joins Brittany Tamayo, Kimberly Baroquillo, and Zuri Bagaloyos in the girls’ 11–14 Elite Finals at The Country Club from September 30 to October 3. “I’m so happy to win again and finally make it.”
If Rafella’s win was a battle of nerves, Ralph’s triumph in the boys’ 11–14 was an exhibition of firepower. After torching the field with a stunning opening 62, he capped his run with a steady 70 to finish 32 strokes clear of Miguel Mesina. The victory propelled him to third overall in the series standings with 39 points, trailing only James Barnes (45) and Lago (42). Kvan Alburo, despite skipping the last two legs, secured the final Finals slot with 34.
The girls’ 15–18 division also saw Cebu’s Tashanah Balangauan continue her stronghold, carding back-to-back 71s for a 142 aggregate—stretching her lead to 10 over Precious Zaragosa. Breanna Rojas sits third after an 86, needing a final-day surge to stay in contention.
The Bacolod leg completed the South squads across all age brackets, setting the stage for the season’s ultimate showdown. For the Batican siblings, however, the road to Laguna is more than just about golf—it’s a family affair, a tale of grit and dominance unfolding side by side.