DAVAO, Philippines – Manila Southwoods Masters unleashed its vaunted firepower and came away with an impressive 155 Molave points as it pounced on Cebu Country Club’s mediocre 136 output to race away to a 20-point lead halfway through PAL (Philippine Airlines) Ladies Interclub here yesterday.
Skipper Beachie Abiera stuck to her first round crew and Abby Arevalo and Lora Roberto responded by firing a pair of 52s and Kat Gonzales atoned for her opening round lapse to shoot a 51 for that 155 fashioned out in ideal playing condition at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club.
Counting its opening 147, the three-peat seeking Carmona-based squad built a 20-point cushion with a 302 aggregate as Cebu Country Club reeled back with a 282 heading to the final 36 holes of the centerpiece Championship Division.
Unlike Abiera, Cebu CC team captain Kim Hong opted to tinker with her roster and though Alyeska Yuna, who shot a 43 Wednesday, improved with a 49, Jyka Wong and herself could only turn in a 45 and 42, respectively, for that 136. Hannah Wong didn’t count with a 28 in the four-to-play, three-to-count event.
“I really expected those scores from Abby, Lora and Kat because they have a better knowledge of the course after playing in the first round,†said Abiera.
With top jungolfers Miya and sister Missy Legaspi and Annika Cedo taking over, Southwoods Masters seeks to pull away as it tries to zero in on a first-ever third straight championship since the revival of the event sponsored by Philippine Airlines in 2011.
“I believe it’s another solid quartet for us which is good because our strategy is to increase our lead further,†said Abiera, whose fourth player Claire Ong failed to count again with a 37.
But Hong remains confident of her wards’ chances in today’s third round with Louise Kaye Go, who fired the tournament-best 55 points in the first round, expected to lead Cebu’s bid again together with Junia Gabasa, who opened with a 48.
“Except for Jyka, who was great today, we didn’t play well,†rued Kim Hong, hoping to cut their rivals deficit to manageable level going to the final round of the 72-hole championship.
Arevalo, who led Southwoods opening day charge with a 54, rolled in birdies inside eight feet on Nos. 3, 10 and 17 but fumbled with five bogeys. The Team ICTSI mainstay missed salvaging an even-par round with birdie putts that lipped out on Nos. 8 and 15.
Roberto birdied Nos. 11 and 13 but failed to return par-saving putts inside six feet on Nos. 9 and 16 and hit two errant drives that led to two more bogeys on Nos. 5 and 8.
Alabang I, meanwhile, shot a second 130 for a 260 as it likewise stretched its lead to 19 points over Southwoods Legends, which had a 241 after a 124 in the Founders Division. Valley South had a 114 for third at 227 followed by Mactan (106-213), Tagaytay Highlands (115-188) and Iloilo (107-182).
Apo I also pulled by 40 points over Rancho Palos Verdes in the Sportswriters Division as it assembled a 119 for a 255. The hosts had a 215 after a 106 while Pueblo De Oro made a 92 for a 190, Victorias scored a 93 for a 182 and Eagle Ridge totaled a 176 after an 86.
Davao City held off a rallying Lady Eagles from Australia with a 104 for a 220, 13 points ahead of the Aussies, who bounced back with a 135 for a 207. Valley North dropped from second to third with a 97 for a 201 while Alabang 2 had a 196 after 95 followed by Villamor (104-195), Aguinaldo (84-165), Apo 2 (68-155) and Cebu Country Club (61-133).
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The event is backed by Airbus, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Purefoods, Magnolia Healthy Refreshments, Ginebra San Miguel, Magnolia Purewater, San Mig Coffee, Magnolia Ice Cream and San Mig Purefoods and supported by Merck Inc. Philippines and Diamond Hotel.