Gandionco, Superal lead Phl bid in Junior World

Manila, Philippines -  Toughened by a series of competitive stints the past two months, Gio Gandionco and Princess Superal lead the Philippine campaign in the annual Callaway Junior World Golf Championsips starting Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) at 11 different venues in San Diego, California.

The Cebu-based Gandionco will be competing in the centerpiece boys 15-17 years for the second time at Torrey Pines with his game much better after a long summer campaign when he affirmed his status as the country’s best junior player.

Superal steps on a new turf definitely not wanting in talent as she plays for the first time in the 15-17 age-group also at Torrey Pines.

Gandionco and Superal are two of the 12 players flown into California for free by the country’s flag-carrier Philippine Airlines as champions in their respective divisions during the national qualifying last May at Manila Southwoods.

The others are Raymart Tolentino and Mia Legaspi in the 13-14 years group; Christopher Popp and Harmie Constantino in the 11-12 years, Josh Jorge and Bernice Ilas in the 9-10 years, Jed Dy and Arnie Taguines in the 7-8 years.

“We have a strong team I believe and we look forward to some of our players joining the winners circle this coming week,” said Luigi Tabuena, president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines and head of the Phl delegation supported by the International Terminal Container Services, Inc.

The 37 local players will join the parade of nations Sunday (Monday in Manila), play their final pratice rounds Monday and plunge into action Tuesday.

The Philippine delegation:

Class A (Torrey Pines South/North): Boys – Gio Gandionco, Santiago Lorenzo, LJ Go, Jama Reyes, Justin Quiban; Girls – Princess Superal, Andie Unson, Marvi Monsalve, Felicia Medalla

Class B (Morgan Run/Rancho Bernardo): Boys – Raymart Tolentino, Kristoffer Arevalo, Gabe Manotoc, Lanz Uy; Girls – Mia Legaspi, Sam Martirez, Rachita Vasandani, LK Go, Abby Arevalo

Class C (Sycuan/Rancho Bernardo Inn): Boys – Christopher Popp, Aidric Chan, Wei Wei Gao, Miguel Castro; Girls – Harmie Constantino, Mika Fortuna, Sam Bruce

Class D (Welk Resort/Lomas Santa Fe): Boys – Carl Corpus, Jolo Magcalayo, Wei Yu Gao; Girls – Wei Fung Gao, Sofia Legaspi,

Class E (Oaks North/Sycuan Resort): Boys – Jed Dy, Miguel Ilas, Leandro Bagtas, Maio Castaneda; Girls – Arnie Taguines, Sunshine Burberry Zhang

Class F (Colina Park): Boys – Jose Javier Lazatin, Rafael Olivarez-Ilas; Girls – Angela Arevalo.