MANILA, Philippines – The Junior Philippine Golf Tour is set to ignite the passion and skills of young golfers acro ss three age categories through a challenging 14-leg circuit beginning May 14 at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.
The tour, featuring 18-hole competitions and managed independently under the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. bann er, promises an electrifying journey for aspiring talents ready and eager to showcase their talents and abilities on the fairways and greens.
The JPGT aims to cultivate players’ development and aid them in reaching their golfing aspirations. It also strives to nurture the next generation of international representatives for the Philippines, akin to renowned players like Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina, among others.
Distinct and free from affiliation with the existing junior golf organizations, the JPGT fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring minimal scheduling conflicts a nd maximizing opportunities for young players to flourish.
Open to all youngsters within three age brackets, the tournament structure varies based on age. Players aged 15-18 engage in four-round clashes, while those in the 8-10 and 11-14 divisions compete in 36-hole and 54-hole tournaments, respectively.
The event boasts a stellar lineup featuring talents like Javie Bautista, Mona Sarines and siblings Lisa and Vito, Tiffany Bernardino, Jacob Casuga and Angelica Bañez, all anticipating the circuit’s challenges, particularly praising the 18-hole format.
This year’s JPGT follows the triumphant debut of the circuit last year, spearheaded by golf patron Ricky Razon, the chairman and CEO of ICTSI. The inaugural event showcased an exhilarating 18-hole tournament, alongside a drive-chip-and putt competition, designed to honing the holistic skills of young players and fueling their passion for the sport.
From Splendido, the tour journeys north to the Pradera Verde leg in Lubao, Pampanga, and then to the Pinewoods Golf Club in Baguio. Venturing to the Visayas, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo, Bacolod Country Club and Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club will stage the next three legs before returning to Luzon for the Mount Malarayat tournament in Lipa City, Batangas.
Culminating in the Philippine Junior Match Play Championship at The Country Club in October, the JPGT guarantees an exciting journey for the young golfers, shaping them into the future stars of Philip pine golf.
MANILA, Philippines – Nueva Ecija and Binan took different routes toward the top spot while Pampanga stayed right behind on Tuesday in the 6th MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Season at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards clobbered the Imus Agimat VA Drones, 105-74; while Binan GameX subdue d Valenzuela Classics, 88-77, to extend their winning streak to four in as many starts in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.
The defending champions Pampanga Giant Lanterns sustained their recovery with an 83-62 drubbing of the Muntinlupa Cagers in the nightcap.
Powered by reigning Most Valuable Player Justine Baltazar and homegrown icon MJ Garcia, Pampanga pulled away at 65-44 and kept the distance till the end for its fifth straight victory after an initial loss.
Baltazar posted 15 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steaks; while Garcia, given extra minutes in the absence of the injured Encho Serrano, tallied 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Other Giant Lanterns who shone were Kurt Reyson, who chalked 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists; Archie Concepcion with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists; and Jhaymo Eguilos with nine points and nine rebounds.
Muntinlupa, which dropped to the cellar at 0-6, got 14 points and seven rebounds from Joshua Guiab and 11 points from Rocky Acidre.
With the majority of their starters recovered from illnesses and injuries, the Rice Vanguards led by as far as 79-32 as they flashed the fiery form that gave them the national title in 2022.
Billy Robles paced Nueva Ecija with 16 points and six rebounds; followed by John Paul Maguilano with 14 points; Robby Celiz with 10 points, five rebounds and four assists; and Chris Bitoon with 10 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Imus tumbled to 0-6 despite the 22-point, eight-rebound output of John Rey Sumido and the 16-point, 11-rebound effort of Luis Tapenio.
Homegrown Michael Maestre powered Binan, which surged beyond reach at 84-69, with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Nino Canaleta supported him with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists, and so did Kenny Roger Rocacurva with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.
Valenzuela, which fell to 4-3, got 15 points each from Chris De Chavez and Filipino-American CJ Payawal and 11 each from Michael Macion and Orin Catacutan.
The MPBL goes to the Cuneta Astrodome on Wednesday with a triple bill featuring Batangas against Negros at 4 p.m., Bulacan against South Cotabato at 6 p.m. and Pasay against Rizal at 8 p.m.