Batican siblings need strong play to qualify for Junior PGT Finals

Siblings Rafella and Ralph Batican are competing in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Junior PGT Championship to earn ranking points for the Elite Junior Finals.

They are aiming for strong performances in this penultimate leg of the Visayas-Mindanao regional series to secure berths in the Elite Junior Finals, set for September 30-October 3 at The Country Club in Laguna.

Having competed in only one of the first five tournaments due to international commitments, the Baticans are in must-win mode.

Ralph is currently eighth in the boys' 11-14 division standings with 15 points, and Rafella is tenth in the girls' division with eight points.

Their only prior appearance was in Mactan, Cebu, where Ralph won his division and Rafella finished fourth.

Both siblings need at least two more strong showings to qualify for the national finals.

To be eligible, players must compete in at least three of the seven regional legs, with the top four in each age division advancing.