Alabang captures Fed League crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Alabang recovered from a shock defeat at home with a stunning performance in the away match to foil Sta. Elena and capture the 2010 Ladies Federation Golf League championship recently.

With their backs to the wall after suffering a 1.5-2.5 loss when they hosted Sta. Elena in the opener of the home-and-away titular series, Alabang scored a big reversal with a rousing 3.5-.5 result the next day for a 6-3 victory.

Alabang’s greensomes pair of Geleen Handog and Ui Mendoza secured the all-important victory once more, coming from behind to beat Gaelle Marquet and Jennie Ligones.

Handog and Mendoza, the same pair which sent Alabang to the finals by winning a playoff game against Manila Southwoods, fell three behind in the first five holes, still trailed by one after the 14th but won three straight from the 15th for a 2 and 1 decision.

That win denied Sta. Elena the chance to forge a playoff and ushered Alabang to its first league championship. The league, organized by the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines, Inc., also crowned its sixth winner in as many years.

Alabang’s title bid took a turn for the worse when wins by Tammy Leung-Hisayo Shimizu (bestball) and Nancy Ortiga-Bing Liboro (aggregate) plus a draw by Bea Baluyut-Therese Dabao gave Sta. Elena a 2.5-1.5 surprise win for Sta. Elena.

Alabang team leaders Arnel Paras and Finina Gorres revamped their lineup for the next day but left the Handog-Mendoza combination.

The ploy worked as Alabang almost scored a sweep. Marjorie Lopingco and Edna Nguyen earned an easy 4 and 3 win in aggregate, Rita Horan and Vivian Chua prevailed 2 and 1 in high-low and Vernie Oledan and Vids Torralba salvaged a draw in best ball.

Sta. Elena reached the finals by ousting the top-seeded Tagaytay Highlands.