SAN DIEGO, California — Only one boy stands in the way of Rupert Zaragosa and a world title.

The pint-sized Zaragosa held his ground in a rain-marred final-round shootout, matching par 73 on Thursday (Friday in Manila) to join a three-way sudden-death playoff for the boys 11-12 years crown which was called off due to darkness at The Country Club of San Bernardo course here.

The 12-year-old Zaragosa, a member of the ICTSI-Canlubang stable who is among the players sent here by Philippine Airlines, will resume the playoff at 7 a.m. Friday morning (Saturday Manila time) against San Diego bet Norman Xiong as Brad Dalke of Texas was booted out on the first playoff hole before play was called off.

Zaragosa can give Team Philippines what could be its only victory here after Princess Superal, Bernice Olivarez-Ilas and Justin Dy fell short of their respective bids and settled for runner-up trophies.

Superal lost by a stroke to Eimi Koga of Hawaii in the girls 13-14 years division at Sycuan Resort-Oak Glen, Dy wound up just a shot behind eventual winner Jeevan Sihota of Canada in the boys 6-under at Colina Park and Ilas lost by two to Karah Sanford of California in the girls 7-8 years at the Sycuan Resort-Pine Glen.

Dy took a heartbreaking loss as he teed off on the par-3 18th leading by one. But he bogeyed the last hole while his Canadian foe made birdie for a two-shot swing with the Filipino carding a 57 for 173 against the 55-172 of Sihota.

Superal carded a 72 for 217 but Koga won with her own 72-216 and Olivarez (56-179) bearing the brunt of a spectacular finish by Stanford (56-177) who made a hole-in-one and birdie on her last four holes.

In the centerpiece 15-17 years division at Torrey Pines, Miguel Tabuena barged into the top seven after breaking par for the first time in three days. His respectable 71 gave him a 54-hole aggregate of 218 but 11 behind Jorge Fernandez Valdes of Argentina (69-207). Marcel Puyat (70-219) was tied for 11th.

Dottie Ardina shot a 72-221 that was good for a share of seventh while Irina Gabasa shared 11th spot after a 73-223. Though Gabriela Lopez of Mexico was far ahead with her 68-212, the next five players were just separated by two strokes or less.