Manila: Aerin Chan, Ronee Dungca, and Tyra Garingalao are hoping to boost their respective bids to advance in the Elite Grand Finals in the ICTSI Beverly Place Junior PGT Championship which unfolds on June 1 in Mexico, Pampanga. The trio is locked in a fierce, dead-heat battle for fifth place with 18 points apiece in the girls' 11-14 division.

According to Philippines News Agency, Garingalao has played in three tournaments, while Chan and Dungca have competed in just two. Because league rules mandate a minimum of three tournament appearances to qualify for the finals, the Pampanga leg is an absolute must-play for all three contenders.

With only two legs left in the six-stage regional circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf, the country's top young players are bracing for a pair of dramatic finishes, starting at Beverly Place and concluding at Eagle Ridge on June 17-19. At stake is the honor of representing the North team in the Elite Junior Finals on Aug. 17-20 at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro. Only the top four performers from each age division will advance.

Mavis Espedido is leading with 33 points, followed by Cailey Gonzales (27) and Georgina Handog (25). Quincy Pilac is fourth with 19 points. In the boys' 11-14 division, Vito Sarines (39), Javie Bautista (37), and Chan Ahn (35) are in the Top 3. Ryuji Suzuki (28) is in fourth place followed by Jacob Casuga (24) and Race Manhit (23).

In the premier 15-18 division, Manila Southwoods standout Tristan Padilla is a lock for the finals with 42 points, and Shinichi Suzuki is closing in with 32 points. Geoffrey Tan (22 points) is at No. 3 followed by Charles Serdenia (20), Rafael Leonio (15), Taeyang Yun (13) and Mico Ungco (12); while Patrick Tambalque, Bien Fajardo and Jose Jacobo Gomez are all tied with 10 points.

In the girls' 15-18 division, twins Lisa and Mona Sarines occupy the top two spots with 42 points and 39 points, respectively. Kendra Garingalao (30) ranks third followed by Rafa Anciano (31) and Levonne Talion (28).

In the girls' 7-10 division, Winter Serapio has earned a ticket to Cagayan de Oro with an impressive 45 points. Jehanne Mendoza (30) is at No. 2 followed by Andrea Lee (27) and Laura Pablo (20), while Adrianna Cabrera, Tyly Bernardino and Elizabeth Laurel have similar 14 points.

In the boys 7-10 division, leg winners Zach Guico (42 points) and Zoji Edoc (39 points) are in the top two spots followed by Kenzo Tan (31 points), Alexian Ching (30 points) and Asher Abad (20).