SANTA ROSA, Laguna – Despite an early stumble and late struggles on a rain-hit, windy Thursday at The Country Club, Ralph Batican persevered through tough conditions, carding a six-over-par 78 to that was enough to open a commanding 10-shot advantage after 36 holes in the boys’ 13-14 division of the Uswing Mojing Junior World Golf Qualifying here.

In contrast, the girls’ 13-14 category is headed to an exciting finish as Lisa Sarines staged chopped Johanna Uyking’s lead to just a stroke heading into Friday’s final round after a dramatic two-shot swing on No. 18. Sarines finished with a 73 for 153, while Uyking struggled to a 75.

While four Junior World slots are at stake in each age category, only division winners will receive free airfare to the prestigious San Diego event in July. With the leaderboard tightening in two divisions, the final round promises high-stakes battles for coveted those berths.

The top 10 players in each category advanced to the last round, which not only awards World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points but also serves as a crucial prelude to the upcoming Junior Philippine Golf Tour season at Eagle Ridge next month.

The girls’ 15-18 division also set the stage for an intense final round as Reese Ng’s 76 brought her level with Alessandra Luciano, who struggled with an 81, as both will take 160 aggregates into the final 18 holes.

Ally Gaccion skied to an 80 but remained in contention in third place just three shots behind, with Anya Cedo and Lia Duque firing rounds of 78 and 77, in that order, to be at 164 and 166.

The battle for the boys’ 13-14 and 15-18 titles in the three-day qualifiers, backed by the National Golf Association, the MVP Sports Foundation, The Country Club, ICTSI, PLDT, and the JPGT, is shaping up to be a potential runaway in both divisions. Batican pulled away in the younger category, while Tristan Padilla surged ahead in the older division with a resilient 73, establishing a commanding five-shot lead over Hernandez.

Batican, one of the rising stars from Bukidnon, managed just one birdie against five bogeys and a double bogey, yet his rivals struggled even more in the challenging conditions. He now holds a 155 aggregate, significantly widening his initial shaky lead. David Teves, who opened with an 80, faltered with an 85 for a 165 total, while Zianbeau Edoc slipped to third at 168 after an 86.

“I’m feeling confident for tomorrow (Friday) because I trained hard in Mindanao and have won twice here at TCC,” said Batican, one of last year’s Junior PGT Match Play finals winners. “But you never know what could happen.”