9th La Salle-Ateneo Golf Classic Cebu: Blue Eagles set the pace

CEBU, Philippines – The battle for supremacy on the fairways between the schools with the most intense rivalry in the country is still very close after the first day of action in the 9th La Salle-Ateneo Golf Classic Cebu yesterday at the Cebu Country Club.

Based on the unofficial count of the points, Ateneo has a four-point margin over La Salle, 54-50.

The lowest gross for all four categories will get 10 points while the lowest net gets 8 and the first and second runners-up would be earning 5 and 3 points respectively for their schools.

Several sub-par rounds were turned in yesterday in the three handicap classes. Those playing in the open division will know their net scores today. The Blind Callaway format will be used for those without official club handicaps.

Bayani Garcia, the reigning club champion of CCC, proved to be a big asset for Ateneo as he fired a gross score of three-under-par 69 strokes to pace class A. 

Jovi Neri, Bayani’s cousin and also playing for Ateneo, fired a gross 74 and finished with a net 68 and is followed by teammate Clifford Celdran who also had a net 69 off a gross 72.

Tied wsith net scores of 69 apiece in the 0 to 9 handicap class are La Salle’s Joseph Stevens and Ferdie Atendido. 

In class B (handicap 10-19), Ateneo’s Toby Florendo fired a gross score of 77 strokes. His net score was 67. He is followed by teammate Ramon Sebastian with a net score of 69 off a gross 79.

La Salle’s Alex Ignacio also finished with a net 69 off a gross 81. Rounding up the top five are La Salle skipper Nino Bascon with a net score of 70 off a gross 80 and Max Borromeo of Ateneo with a net 70 off a gross 83.

In class C, La Salle had no competition as there were no Ateneans, who played yesterday. The Blue Eagles are, however, expected to field their bets today.

Brucedy Chan scored a gross 94 for a net 66 followed by this writer with a net 69 off a gross 99.

Vicente Hipolito fired a net 72 off a gross 92 while Albuen Bejar made a net 74.

In the open division, Ateneo’s Joevince Cañizares fired a gross 90 strokes to lead. 

He is followed by La Salle’s Robbie Hermoso 95 and Marc Yu with 100.

The tournament is hosted by the One La Salle Cebu Alumni Association this year. It is presented by Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. Tonight’s awards ceremony will be held at the Treff Bar of the hotel.

The tournament is also backed by major sponsors Cliptec, Mitsubishi Motors Inc./Fast Autoworld Phils. Corp., Angelicum Garden of Angels, Gold Telecoms Specialist/Trend Technologies Inc., Airphil Express and the De la Salle Alumni Association.

The minor sponsors are Primary Homes, CWC International, Fifth Avenue Property, Arthaland, VM Security, D+B Wines, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, and Tambuli Beach Resort/Bohol Beach Club.

More players are expected to play today while those who want to play a second round can also do so, but they will have to pay an additional amount. The best score would count. (FREEMAN)