Filipina golfers squeak through

CEBU, Philippines - Mia Piccio and Jayvie Agojo came away with a pair of cliffhangers to join four other ICTSI-Phl teammates into the second round of match play in the Women’s Trans National Golf Championship at the Members Club at Woodcreek in Columbia, South Carolina Wednesday.

The US-based Piccio, who rallied from an 80 opening in the stroke play with a 72 to make the knockout stage, knocked down a gutsy par from six feet on the first extra hole to nip Aussie Grace Lennon and arrange a Last 32 clash with Aurora Kan, who routed Maureen Dunnagan, 5&4.

Agojo, who placed joint ninth in the stroke play elims, clinched a 1-up victory over Thuhashini Selvaratnam of Arizona to seal a second round duel with Tilly Poulsen, who trounced Courtney Boe, 6&5, in the other side of the draw.

But the four other ICTSI-backed bets rolled past their respective rivals in convincing fashions with Cyna Rodriguez and Princess Superal scoring a pair of 7-5 romps over Rachel Wyatt and Kaitlin Matheson, respectively.

Dottie Ardina, slowly regaining her form, booted out Mary Chandler Bryan, 5&4, while Sarah Ababa outlasted Manuela Carbajo of Argentina, 2&1.

Another victory by Agojo coupled by Rodriguez’s win against Regina Plasensia will arrange a Last 16 clash between the Filipina bets, according to ICTSI coach Nestor Mendoza.

Ababa sets out against Kate Scarpetta with a victory likely to line her up against low medalist Whitney Hillier of Australia, who scrambled past Maia Schechter, 2&1.

Ardina squares off with Texan Kelsey Vines while Superal collides with Collins Bradshaw, who defeated Haley Millsap, 3&1.

Lovelynn Guioguio was the lone Filipina casualty, bowing to Jessica Alexander, 2&1.— PR (THE FREEMAN)