Lascuña, Salvador head Davao pro-am

MANILA, Philippines - Tony Lascuña and Elmer Salvador, the top two players on the local pro tour’s Order of Merit ranking, banner a strong cast of teams vying in the third P1 million Davao National Pro-Am Presented by Samsung and Emcor which gets going Aug. 28 at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao City.

Lascuña and Salvador, both two-leg winners after 10 stages of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, will be teaming up with Den-Den de Castro and Ryan Gotan, respectively, both raring to add the pro-am crown to their list of victories in a flourishing season.

“We will try our best (to win) but it will be tough. A lot of teams are also capable of winning this tournament,” said Lascuña in Filipino.

The 41-year-old shotmaker, who won the Southwoods and Eagle Ridge legs, is coming off a sorry setback in the Orchard Championship where he blew a final round lead to Singaporean Quincy Quek and settled for joint second.

Salvador, who ruled the Sherwood and Aboitiz Invitational stages, is also out to atone for his so-so 10th place finish at Orchard although the fancied duo faces a tough challenge from the rest of the teams joining the title hunt in the event put up by top electronics firm Samsung and leading retail business corporation Emcor.

Also tipped to contend for the top P172,000 purse for the pro and merchandise for the amateur are Jhonnel Ababa-Benjie Leparto, Johvan Abaño-Joel Langgamin, Ferdie Aunzo-Monchit Macay, Jerson Balasabas-Cris Tan, Cassius Casas-Bob Bandolon, Rufino Bayron-Joe Marfori, Michael Bibat-Jun Singson, Jun Bernis-Marco Olives;

Gerard Cantada-EJ Marcelo, Marvin Dumandan-Anthony Sasin, Mhark Fernando-Ais Fernando, Tonite Fernando-Marco Mendoza, Clyde Mondilla-Takayuki Kozono, Elmer Saban-Bobby Inigo, Carl Santos-Ocampo-Joanna Lim and Erwin Vinluan-Raymond Bunquin.

To level the playing field, the top-ranked pros will not be allowed to team up with amateurs with index of 5 and below, ensuring a spirited battle for top honors in the three-day tournament backed by Kawasaki Motors Phils. Corp., Malayan Insurance, Suzuki, Cargo Serve, LVL Construction, DASIA, Koppel, Chain Marketing, Percia Construction, Transworld, Goetz Moving, JD Alvarado Architects, Pluvial, Vigor, Condura, VM Security, Adtel, Microtel by Wyndham-Davao and Skygo.

Format of play is foursomes or alternate shot with the pros to tee off on odd holes and the amateurs on the even ones in the first round. They will switch off tee-off assignments in the second day and then back to the first day sequence in the final round.

Local bet Edgar Ababa and amateur partner Paul Echavez teamed up to humble a star-studded field and rule the inaugural staging of the tournament in 2010 while Ernie Rellon and Marcel Puyat outlasted two teams in a thrilling final day showdown to win last year’s event.

Details: t 0933-1612460 or 0922-836-2764 and 0917-8121242 or Bluemansion Enterprise and Services Co.