By: Waylon Galvaz
Xavier School San Juan and Immaculate Conception Academy made a strong statement at the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines Inter-School Championship, securing spots to represent Luzon in the National Finals.
Xavier successfully defended its title in Senior High Division 1, while its Lower School squad captured the Division 1 crown at the Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Pampanga on February 21.
Xavier 1, led by Geoffrey Tan, Seth Koa, Enzo Cham, and brothers Rafael and Gabriel See, tallied 606 points to claim the top spot.
ICA, featuring Nicole Gaisano-Gan, Chloe Ang, Bea Lapuz, Brianna Hontiveros, and Guia Koa, finished second with 549 points, while Xavier’s Team 2 of Jude de Leon, Gabriel Lapuz, and Akio Lee took third at 538 points.
In Junior High Division 1, Xavier’s Team 1 mirrored the success of the seniors.
Roman Ungco, Cade Santos, Chad Tang, Nathan de Leon, and Kraig Tee collected 523 points, narrowly beating De La Salle Zobel’s Jacob Gomez, Maven Pallasigui, Dia Juane, and Lucas Pacifico, who finished with 511 points.
Xavier also claimed the Lower School title as Kenzo Tan, Franco Estrella, Blake Sy, Chadwyk Tan, and Enzo Castro totaled 381 points to outpace ICA’s Stephanie Gaisano-Gan, Candice Lim, Laura Pablo, Ashleigh Remo, and Yarra Chua, who had 354 points.
Middle School Division 1 saw Homeschool Global Team 2 emerge as champions, with Kami del Muno, Avery Sytengco, Tyra Garingalao, Anna Solon, and Amiya Tablac racking up 472 points.
Xavier’s Team 1—Ryuchi Tao, Jacob Sy, Michael Hortel II, and Kenjie Yamada—finished close behind at 453 points.
The championship extended beyond the top divisions, producing exciting finishes and fierce battles across all categories.
In Senior High Division 2, De La Salle Zobel edged out PAREF Woodrose by a single point.
The Zobel team, led by Gloriana Laurel, Hugo Pallasigui, Danielle Torres, and Jaime Ranches, posted 290 points, while Woodrose’s Emilia Benitez, Olivia Medina, Tala Dizon, Isla Lee, and Zoe Llamas totaled 289 points.
Senior High Division 3 saw Xavier 5 dominate with 261 points, as Gerard del Rosario, Alejandro Cheng, Santino Lim, Seungyoon Han, and Zeng Xuan Yim led the way.
Brent I.S. Manila 2, composed of Jaden Esquivas, Nush Chulani, Chad Martin, and Tony Ong, finished second with 241 points.
Junior High Division 2 delivered a thrilling contest, with Everest Academy Manila narrowly claiming the top spot at 392 points.
Jaime Edmundo, Serrano Silverio, Santino Banson, Juan Tanjangco, Robertino Ungco, and Samarah Torres showcased precision and consistency, just two points ahead of ICA 1’s Ryzah Robins, Kristen Uy, Jacqueline Dy, Zara Siapno, and Sitti Tio. In Junior High Division 3,
De La Salle Zobel Laguna 2 posted 377 points, with Mannuwel Maligaya, Sky Navarro, Chace Tizon, and Jacob Valera leading the charge, leaving Zobel Laguna 1’s Diego Pahud, Kyle Esplana, Juan Alihan, Zion Hombrebueno, and Jazmine Alihan with 297 points.
Middle School Division 2 was another close call, as ICA 2, with Emma Lee, Islay Bangayan, Harper Remo, Athena Uy, and Camille Sy, finished with 358 points, edging Xavier 3’s Jesus Yambao IV, Harvey Hernandez, Janson Lee, David de Leon, and Jayden Juco, who tallied 348 points.
Xavier Nuvali 2 triumphed in Middle School Division 3 with 309 points, led by Lorenzo Facistol, Olivia Mendez, Sabrina Castillo, and Joaquin San Jose, while De La Salle Zobel Laguna finished with 266 points.
Lower School Division 2 showcased a dramatic tie between Xavier School Nuvali and De La Salle Zobel at 290 points each.
Xavier’s Alonzo Fabul, Isaac Mendez, Jose Velasco, and Asisclo Cataneda combined for a strong finish, while Zobel’s Gloriana Laurel, Hugo Pallasigui, Danielle Torres, and Jaime Ranches matched their effort.
PAREF Woodrose trailed closely with 289 points, proving the fierce competition in the division.
In Lower School Division 3, De La Salle Laguna claimed 203 points through the efforts of Nicolo Lirio and Jean Bitangcol, leaving Miriam College’s Juliana Araw, Mathea Pasamba, and Maxis Sempuego with 183 points.
JGFP president Oliver Gan expressed his gratitude to the National Golf Association of the Philippines for supporting the foundation’s longstanding project.
“This is the biggest Inter-School and the only one sanctioned by our golf governing body, the NGAP. That’s why we are grateful, and we thank them, as well as JGFP ‘godfather’ Mikey Arroyo, and the schools and players who joined,” said Gan, a former golf consultant of the Games and Amusement Board.
The other divisions were held at various venues: Division 3 at Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Laguna on February 11, Division 2 at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac on February 15, and the Developmental Division at Pradera Verde Golf Club in Pampanga on February 22.
The National Finals, which will also feature qualifiers from Visayas and Mindanao, are set for May 1 to 3 at the Pradera Verde Golf Club in Pampanga, promising another weekend of thrilling competition and a showcase of the country’s rising golf talent.
