CAVINTI, Laguna – Jacob Casuga staged a stunning frontside comeback, erasing a two-shot deficit over the final two holes to snatch a dramatic one-stroke victory in the boys’ 11-14 division of the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Junior PGT Championship on Thursday.
A clutch birdie-bogey swing on No. 8 put him in striking distance, and he sealed the win on a closing 75 as Vito Sarines stumbled down the stretch, holing out with a bogey for a 76 at the challenging Caliraya Springs Golf Club here.
Casuga’s closing three-over card gave him a 36-hole total of 152, one clear of Sarines, whose bid to follow up his Sherwood Hills victory fell short, as he settled for second at 153.
Ryuichi Tao carded a second consecutive 78 for a 156, edging Jose Luis Espinosa (79-156) for third place in the countback.
My short game and putting saved me,” said Casuga, breaking a string of three straight bronze finishes in the Luzon series of the nationwide circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “This win means everything because it proves I can keep getting better.”
Espinosa, who had tied Casuga and Sarines at the top after the first round, slipped with a 79 in the tournament that marked the fourth leg of the seven-stage Luzon series, which offers berths to the Elite Junior Finals later this year.
Casuga thanked his family and coach Dan Cruz, and drew inspiration from fellow Junior PGT standout Charles Serdenia. “Seeing Charles rise pushed me to work even harder,” he added.
It was arguably one of the most electrifying finishes in the three-year history of the ICTSI-backed circuit, as Casuga refused to fold and pulled off a gritty, come-from-behind victory with a clutch closing stretch.
If Vito’s heartbreak stung, sister Mona more than compensated, firing a sparkling two-under 70 to dominate the girls’ 11-14 division by nine shots. Her seven-birdie, six-bogey aggregate of 143 left Kendra Garingalao (78-74-152) and twin sister Lisa Sarines (77-79-156) at second and third places, respectively.
“My putting and second shots were on all week,” said Mona, 13, from Riviera. “I’m grateful – I proved to myself I can shoot under par after all the hard work.”
Winter Serapio completed a wire-to-wire win in the girls’ 7-10 class with a level-par 72 for 148, 15 clear of Tyra Garingalao. The eight-year-old overcame a bogey-double start by rattling off three birdies in six holes, later calling the victory “proof that practice pays off.”
Tyra Garingalao shot a 79 for 163, nipping Penelope Sy, who carded an 80 for a similar 163, in the countback for second.
In the boys’ 7-10 side, Zach Guico stamped his class for a third win in four legs. His second straight 73 for 146 was enough to hold off Asher Abad (72-149) despite a closing bogey.
“I just stay calm,” said Guico. “When I hit a bad shot I remind myself to recover.”
Kenzo Tan placed third with a 171 after a 90.
Chloe Rada surged into the solo lead in the girls’ 15–18 category, delivering a clutch finish to shoot a second-round 74 and seize a three-stroke advantage with a 36-hole total of 163.
Locked in a tense three-way tie down the stretch, the 16-year-old University of Asia and the Pacific student broke away with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17. Meanwhile, Levonne Talion, who came back from eight shots down to beat Rafa Anciano in a playoff at Eagle Ridge, bogeyed the 16th and signed for an 81, slipping to second at 166.
Anciano, winner of the Sherwood Hills and Splendido Taal legs, faltered late with bogeys on Nos, 15 and 18, stumbling with an 82 for third at 167.
Tiffany Bernardino also briefly held the lead during the round but unraveled with a costly triple bogey on 17, ending up with an 85 and a 169, six shots off the pace.
