La’O, Que arrange dream showdown

Cookie La’O will try to hurdle what many consider as the biggest stumbling block to his bid for golfing excellence.

But with the way he smothered Marvin Dumandan to move into the quarterfinal round of this year’s Philippine Amateur golf championship, not even perhaps the likes of Angelo Que could slow down the Asian Games veteran raring to stake his claim as the country’s top amateur player this year.

Enjoying top form and playing with a high level of confidence, La’O bundled out Dumandan, 7-5, at the start of the match play event at the Alabang layout, completely dominating the Bukidnon bet with a kind of game rarely seen in amateur play.

A par-birdie-eagle start set the tone for the rout and another birdie putt on the par 4 ninth gave La’O a commanding four-hole lead he further stretched to seven with pars on the first four holes at the backside, including one at No. 13 that wrapped up the match.

"I’m really playing with a high-level of confidence at this stage. And I hope to keep it until Sunday," said La’O, whose three-day exploits of 10-under card included two 69s in the 36-hole stroke-play elims.

But he will be facing a resurgent Que in the quarterfinal round today, which starts at 7 a.m., which many think will be the supreme test for La’O in his attempt to join the elite circle of winners in this event staged by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

Que, the defending champion who had sort of struggled in the elims with two 75s, also had an easy job disposing of Carl Almario, 6-5, but he later admitted he would have to double his effort to stop La’O on his tracks.

The three other quarterfinal round matches will have to take a backseat although the Iggy Clavecilla-Joel Opaco clash could stir up interest in the upper half of the draw.

The 53-year-old Clavecilla fought back from two holes down to beat Dave Hernandez, 3 and 2, and arrange a clash with youthful Opaco, who posted the day’s biggest reversal with a 3 and 1 victory over national team mainstay Boyet Zaragosa.

In other matches, Abe Rosal booted out JR Tanpinco, 5 and 4, to set up a duel with Canlubang teammate Solomon Gines, who outclassed club bet Yayi Escuadro, 4 and 3.