GATMAYTAN, ABELAR-YAP SCORE CLOSE WINS

Nikolo Gatmaytan and Nicole Abelar-Yap escaped with close victories in the 15 to 18 years division to lead the group of jungolfers who will form the national delegation to the IMG Junior World.

Gatmaytan turned in a 74 to beat Ryan Monsalve (75) by three with a 295 total in the boys’ division of the Philippine Airlines-sponsored final qualifying event held at Ayala Southlinks Friday.

Abelar-Yap edged Mariel Tee (74) by with a 77 for 301 in the girls side.

Sophia Ysabel Blanco, Perry Josef Bucay, Sean Dominique Granada and Eagle Ace Superal also topped their divisions to claim the free tickets to Los Angeles from Philippine Airlines.

Blanco, Granada and Superal went wire-to-wire with Blanco (77-309) winning the girls 13 to 14 years by six over Samantha Dizon (80-315) and Granada scoring 77-304 to beat Miguel Ilas (76-310) in the boys 11 to 12.

Superal (78-304) forged a 12-shot win over Burberry Zhang (76-316).