Ababa, Piccio enter US match play

MANILA, Philippines - Sarah Ababa and Mia Piccio bucked a shaky finish to cruise to the match play phase of the US Women’s Amateur but ICTSI teammates Lovelynn Guioguio and Andie Unson fell by the wayside at the close of the 36-hole stroke play elims at the Charlotte Country Club in Charlotte, North Carolina Tuesday.

Ababa, 16, went on a birdie binge at the back from where he started, going three under after eight holes but faltered with three bogeys in the last 10 holes and settled for a 72 for a 145.

But that was enough to net her a joint 14th finish among the 64 survivors with Ababa setting up a duel with Calle Nielson of Tennessee (149) in the first round of the knockout phase Wednesday.

Piccio, fresh from her victory in the Trans Am tournament last week in Nebraska, struggled on the putting green and bogeyed the last two holes and turned in a two-over 74, finishing in joint 23rd at 146. She faces Juliana Ortiz of Colombia, who carded a 74 for a 147, in the match play opener.

“Sarah is playing solid while Mia needs to polish her putting stroke to gain in the match play, which is an entirely different game,” said ICTSI team coah Bong Lopez.

Beverly Mendoza, 19, also advanced with a second straight 73 and a 146 and arranged a showdown with Emily Tubert of California, who had a 148 after a 72. Guioguio struggled with a 77 for a 151 then lost in a six-player playoff for the  last berth won by Isabel Han of New Jersey.

Unson, meanwhile, failed to get going with four straight bogeys at the back, limped home with a 79 for a 154 and missed the cut.

Three players shared the low medal honors with Rachel Rohanna, who fired a record 65 in the first round, fumbling with a 73 for a 138. Jackly Sweeney made a second straight 69 while Erynne Lee fired a 66 after a 72.