Bukidnon: Homegrown talents Zero Plete and Alexis Nailga performed well in the opening round of the ICTSI JPGT Championship at the Del Monte Golf Club on Wednesday. Plete took a three-stroke lead with a 75, capped by a birdie on her final hole at No. 9, ahead of Davao's Precious Zaragosa, who shot a pair of 39s for a 78, in the girls' 15-18 category set over 54 holes.

According to Philippines News Agency, Plete expressed her strong motivation to qualify for the finals, a Ryder Cup-style event, emphasizing her focus on hitting more fairways and maintaining steadiness on the greens. Returning to the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. after a long layoff, Plete is determined to make her mark.

In the same girls' division, Crista Mi±oza carded a 42 on the back nine, finishing with an 81, followed by Venice Guillermo (88), Kenley Yu (102), and Santinna Patosa (121).

Meanwhile, in the boys' division, Mactan leg winner Alexis Nailga birdied the 18th hole to salvage an even-par 72, leading by two over CDO's Armando Copok and Cebu's Nyito Tiongko, who both carded 74s. Last year's Match Play winner Clement Ordeneza posted a 75, while Mhark Fernando III and Roman Tiongko remained in contention with rounds of 77 and 78, respectively.

The competition also saw a strong performance in the girls' 11-14 class, where Davao's Kimberly Baroquillo carded a one-over 73, featuring three birdies and four bogeys, to take a two-shot lead over Mactan leg champion Brittany Tamayo. Tamayo managed a 75 after a strong 37 on the back nine, followed by CDO's Isabella Espina (81), Bukidnon's Angel Wahing (84), and local players Yvonne Colim (90) and Ayla Pavadora (93).

In the boys' 11-14 division, CDO's Ken Guillermo carded a two-under 70 to secure a slim lead. South Cotabato's Jared Saban was a close second with a 71, fueled by three birdies in the last four holes at the front. Marcus Due±as of Valencia and Laurence Saban carded 77 and 79, respectively.