Reigning champion Jun Bernis and amateur hotshot Juvic Pagunsan are expected to lead the hosts’ bid in the four-day tournament, which also serves as part of the selection process for the national team competing in this year’s Southeast Asian Games.
But more than boosting their respective bids for the SEAG berths, the Cangolf bets are raring to even things up with their Southwoods counterparts, at least in this individual competition, following their failed comeback bid in the final round of the PAL Interclub over the weekend.
However, former national amateur champ Artemio Murakami and Michael Bibat, heroes in Southwoods’ thrilling two-point win over Canlubang, will see to it that the hosts will be in for a tough week as they spearhead the Carmona-based golfers campaign in the annual event sponsored by DHL World Express and WWWExpress and organized and conducted by National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Others vying for top honors are former champ Abe Rosal, Boyet Saragoza, Jay Bayron, Erwin Vinluan, Marvin Dumandan, Hanson So Jr. and Tonton Asistio.
The 31-year-old Bernis rode on a steady final round stint to thwart a rampaging Pagunsan and win the crown last year. He went on to top the national amateur championship at Villamor then won the Samsung Amateur Tour in Baguio to emerge as the winningest player in the ranks last year.
Pagunsan, on the other hand, made up for his loss here and an early exit in the national amateurs by finishing second over in last year’s Philippine Open, humbling the revered men of the local tour and other foreign standouts.
But the two Cangolf mainstays failed to carry the team to victory in the PAL Interclub, a debacle they would want to avenge in a bid to regain some measure of pride and at least keep their domination of the event on their turf.
Meanwhile, hostilities in the ladies side begins tomorrow with Jayvie Agojo heavily fancied to retain the title she won last year. Out to foil her bid are Lora Roberto, Carmelette Villaroman, Anya Tanpinco and Lina de Guzman.