Roberto takes charge

BACOLOD — Southwoods’ Lora Roberto flashed her awesome form and fired 55 Molave points to pace the championship division of the 41st Southern Ladies Open Golf Championships here at the par-70 Bacolod Golf and Country Club at Hacienda Binitin in Murcia, Bacolod City yesterday.

Roberto, out to erase the stigma of her sorry stints in the RP Ladies Open and the DHL-NGAP Open early this year, strung up nines of 28-27 to post a one-point up over the comebacking Aileen Rose Yao, who carded 54 points.

Carmelette Villaroman had an even-par round after nines holes but faltered coming home with a two-over card as the former RP Ladies champion settled for a 52 at the start of the 54-hole event played under the Molave system of scoring and organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

But if there’s one player likely to spoil the fancied bets’ bid here, it’s local bet Jocel Pagunsan, the 2003 Uratex ladies champion and cousin of top male amateur Juvic, who also had a 52 for a share of third place behind a 28-point effort at the front.

Mia Piccio of Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club made 51 points while Cangolf’s Lina de Guzman and Southwoods Tracy Locsin had 50 points apiece. Lucy Landicho, also of Canlubang and one of the early favorites here, struggled with 48 points.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, Bacolod City Mayor Joy Valdez, Alice Ll. Andrada, chair of the ladies committee and NGAP treasurer, and host club president Alfredo Montelibano hit the ceremonial balls kicking off the 54-hole event sponsored by DHL Worldwide Express, WWW Express, Petron Corp. Philippine Sports Commission, Gopez Corp., Sugarland Hotel, Directories Philippines Corp., Hans Brumann Jeweller, Casino Filipino Hotel, Mitsubishi Motors, Vice Admiral Luisito Fernandez, BREDCO, Nestle Waters Phils. Inc. and Mizuno.

In Class A, Mencie Millonado of Wack Wack shot 44 points to seize a four-point lead over NOGCC’s Jocelyn Garcia, Hilda Badong of Riviera and Sheila Dolosa of Binitin Golf Club, who all had 40 points.

Annabelle Zaragoza of Iloilo had 39 points, Jhay Montelibano of Binitin made 37 while Riviera’s Beth Menchavez groped for form with 36 points, the same output put in by Medy Agustin of Eagle Ridge.

Other events on tap at presstime are those in classes B, C and D as well as in the senior category, which features players aged 60-years-old and above.