La Salle golfers launch title bid versus Lyceum

MANILA, Philippines - De La Salle University begins its title-retention bid when the fifth Intercollegiate Golf Championship kicks off today in various golf courses with the Green Archers visiting the Lyceum Pirates on their home turf at The Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

La Salle, which won the first two editions of the intercollegiate in 2007 and 2008, before regaining the championship a year ago when it bested archrival Ateneo in the finals, will have returning players from the title team with skipper Allan Guy, Eric Gallardo, Joey Huerva and Marvin Mendoza.

The format for the intercollegiate, a project of the Philippine Golf Foundation, will be home and away with the second round a reversal of the “home” team status. Top two teams will qualify in the home and away title series.

Other matches in today’s opening are UP versus 2009 champion Ateneo as the Blue Eagles visit the Maroons, led by Michael Manotoc and Carlo Legazpi, at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo. College of St. Benilde hosts newcomer University of Santo Tomas at the Canlubang Golf and Country Club in Laguna.

La Salle will have the Sherwood Golf Club in Cavite as its “home” course, Ateneo will play at the Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club in Tagaytay, while the UST Growling Tigers will have Tagaytay Midlands as their home turf.