Bucay, Granada share ITT spotlight

TAGAYTAY, Philippines — La Salle asserted its dominance in the women’s division with a commanding sweep of both individual and team honors, but College of St. Benilde’s Sean Granada made sure the Green Archers would not have it all, pulling away late to retain the men’s crown in the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tournament at the Midlands and Lucky 9 courses here yesterday.

Phoebe Bucay completed La Salle’s romp in the women’s play by overcoming final-round pressure and surviving a difficult closing stretch to card a 110 and secure a three-stroke victory over teammate Stacey Chan for the individual title.

La Salle appeared headed for a clean sweep, but Granada spoiled the script.

Locked in a tense duel early with La Salle’s Gabriel Canlas, the St. Benilde standout steadied himself down the stretch while his rival faltered, turning a close contest into a decisive six-shot victory with a 74 and a 296 to successfully defend the men’s championship he won in a playoff at Summit Point last year.

“This is my first IIT tournament and it’s very competitive. I was nervous and really pressured from the start,” said Bucay, a Business Analytics freshman.