Jakob Taruc closed out with a five-over-par 74, a not-so-spectacular card by any means but one highlighted by a remarkable bounce-back stretch to rule the ICTSI Junior PGT John Hay Championship that meant bagging the final slot for the North’s boys 15-18 team for the National Elite Finals in October.

The 17-year-old threw away two strokes on the 11th hole before recovering just as quick, with a three-shot swing on the next over pursuer Andres Fabie sewing up his first win in the circuit and the coveted fourth-place finish overall for that last slot after a 54-hole 222 tally.

“I got too aggressive going into the back nine. I used my driver way too much and that cost me a bit,” said Taruc, who joined top-notcher Patrick Tambalque, Shin Suzuki and Zach Villaroman as stalwarts of the North that will clash with their South counterparts at The Country Club starting Oct. 7 in a Ryder Cup-style finale.

Fabie, who led after 36 holes, looked poised for a breakthrough victory after five tournament appearances, with his best finish previously being fourth place at Pradera Verde.

Although he squandered a one-stroke lead, he fought back from two shots down with a dramatic three-shot swing on the par-3 11th with a birdie while Taruc stumbled with that double bogey.

But Taruc, who finished second at Pradera Verde and third at Splendido Taal, quickly responded, birdieing the par-4 12th as Fabie had his turn in dropping two shots and yielding the lead back to Taruc which the eventual champ clung on to.

Taruc even extended his lead to three strokes after Fabie bogeyed the 13th and faded with a double bogey on the next.

Sharing the stage with Taruc was Rafa Anciano, who returned a 71 to win the girls’ 15-18 by a whopping 26 shots, her final round performance giving her an additional boost of confidence for the finals.

Bernardino, who faltered with an 82, finished second with a 248 total, which was still enough for North team inclusion as the third player. Chloe Rada, who shot an 85 for a 258 total, dropped to fourth overall with 32 points but still clinched the last finals ticket.

Absent but already-qualified Levonne Talion (39 points) retained the No. 2 spot in the overall rankings.

Kristoffer Nadales held on to No. 4 spot heading into the Baguio swing, where he had to beg off because of prior commitments, giving Taruc the window to make it, but only by winning.

“There was a bit of pressure,” Taruc went on when asked of the final round played under overcast skies. “But I always made sure God is with me, so even if I lost, it would have been okay.”