TAGAYTAY – A new era dawned in Philippine collegiate sports on Monday as golf officially debuted in the UAAP, reigniting the fierce Ateneo-La Salle rivalry on the fairways of Tagaytay Midlands.
Ateneo’s Monique Mendoza rebounded from a challenging frontside to salvage an 81 and seize the lead in the women’s individual competition as University of the Philippines’ Annika Gozum stumbled from a share of the lead to solo second after a late bogey and an 82.
La Salle’s Julia Lua, who dominated last year’s inaugural ICTSI Intercollegiate Tournament and powered the Taft-based squad to the team championship, struggled in hot and windy conditions and limped home with an 86 for third place, while teammate Alexa Dacanay turned in an 87,
She was followed by Ateneo’s Simi Tinio with an 88 and La Salle’s Donnabel Magsino with a 92. Ateneo’s Andie Joson shot a 94, and UST’s Deborah Escote had a 96. UP’s Ava Heredia and Ateneo’s Renee Heredia rounded out the Top 10 with 99 and 101, respectively.
In the men’s division, La Salle’s Perry Bucay drained a clutch five-foot birdie putt on No. 17 to finish with a 72 and edge teammate Zachary Castro, who shot a 73, for a one-stroke lead in the individual race. UP’s Joshua Buenaventura and Miggy Roque stayed within striking distance after rounds of 74 and 75, respectively.
La Salle’s Miguel Fusilero carded a 76 to share fifth place with Ateneo’s Glenn Unabia, as the Green Archers seized control of the team standings in the four-to-count, three-to-play format with a 221 aggregate – five strokes ahead of UP, which tallied 226 with Emilio Carpio’s counting with a 77.
However, La Salle was assessed a two-stroke penalty for a uniform infraction, raising the team’s total to 223 and trimming its lead over UP to just three strokes.
Ateneo trailed in third with a 240 total after Juan Escano and Schmuel Tan shot 80 and 84, respectively. UST and Adamson, meanwhile, struggled with team totals of 261 and 370 in the five-school competition presented by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Wilson Philippines and Akari.
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