Bregente and Suzuki Set for NGAP Match Play Championship Final; Quintanilla Faces Zaragosa for Women's Title

Top seed Rolando Bregente and second seed Shinichi Suzuki secured semifinal victories on Friday, setting up a highly anticipated final showdown in the NGAP Match Play Championship at Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac. Both players advanced after hard-fought matches, with Bregente narrowly overcoming Emilio Hernandez and Suzuki defeating rising star Ralph Batican.

Bregente, who led the 36-hole stroke play qualifying, appeared to have a comfortable win early in his semifinal against Hernandez. However, Hernandez mounted a strong late rally, reducing Bregente’s lead from three holes to just one in the closing stages. Under pressure on the rain-softened course, Bregente managed a crucial par on the 18th hole to secure a tense 1-up victory. After the match, the 24-year-old Bregente acknowledged struggling with his putting, even on short attempts, highlighting the challenge of the contest.

Meanwhile, Suzuki relied on his powerful driving and match play experience to control the match against 15-year-old Batican. The young sensation had impressed throughout the tournament, including a notable 4&2 quarterfinal upset over Stroke Play champion Jet Hernandez. Despite Batican’s momentum, Suzuki maintained control from the start and closed out a 2&1 win, ending Batican’s impressive run.

Looking ahead to the final, Bregente described Suzuki as a formidable opponent, noting Suzuki’s considerable distance off the tee and anticipating a tough match between the two top qualifiers.

In the women’s division, Precious Zaragosa rallied late to defeat Lisa Sarines 2-up, setting up a championship match against top seed Grace Quintanilla. Zaragosa, 15, seized control by winning three consecutive holes starting at the 15th, halting Sarines’ attempt at a rare double after Sarines had won the Stroke Play Championship at Pradera Verde the previous week. Zaragosa’s decisive moment came with a precise tee shot on the challenging par-3 17th hole, which she converted into a birdie from very close range to take a 1-up lead before closing out the match on the next hole.

Quintanilla, who recently won the Singapore Amateur Open, continued her dominant form by defeating Nicole Gan 4&2, securing her place in the final and aiming for another major amateur title.

The upcoming finals promise compelling contests, with Bregente and Suzuki vying for the men’s crown and Quintanilla and Zaragosa competing for the women’s title, each player bringing strong credentials and momentum into the concluding matches.