La Salle sees big Ateneo comeback

Though La Salle will go all out for a fourth straight win, the Archers remain wary of the Ateneo Eagles when they renew their golfing rivalry in the fifth La Salle-Ateneo Match Play unfolding Dec. 19 at the Tagaytay Midlands.

For one, the Archers are expecting a big fightback from the Eagles, who dropped the last three matches of their golfing duel after ruling the inaugurals of the annual Ryder Cup-style event featuring the top shotmakers of both schools.

“It will be difficult (to win four straight) but we will go for it,” said La Salle team captain Freddie Mendoza. “The probability of us winning again is lower because we will be facing probably the strongest Ateneo team this year.”

With three-time Asia-Pacific seniors champion Iggy Clavecilla, Marty Ilagan and Mari Hechanova providing the experience and US-based teener Marcel Puyat and former national champion Anthony Fernando the exuberance of the youth, the Eagles are raring to get back at the Archers in the three-day event organized and hosted by Belle Corporation and Tagaytay Highlands.

But the Taft-based golfers are ready for the Eagles, working out on a new game plan and new match-ups in a bid to keep the other side guessing like what they did when they dominated last year’s edition from start to finish en route to a 24-18 romp.

“We will have a different game plan. We will be coming up with new match ups with the key roles to our youth brigade,” said Mendoza.

Veteran campaigner Tommy Manotoc has begged off to play this year but Miko Alejandro, the top scorer for La Salle last edition, will be back to beef up the squad that also includes the likes of reigning back-to-back national ladies champion Anya Tanpinco, also a SEA Games silver medalist, and Kim Hong.

Barely a week before the event, Mendoza said they would need four practice sessions to toughen up with most of their players still busy in school and golf tournaments.

“But I expect 110 percent effort from them. There will no incentives but bragging rights as the best golfing school,” said Mendoza.

The event, held in cooperation with La Salle Golf Club, Inc. and the Ateneo Golf Foundation, will feature the foursome and four-ball matches in the first two days with all 18 players of both sides clashing in head-to-head duels in the final day. Each side will be composed of 18 top amateur players (14 regular men, 2 seniors, 2 ladies) representing only the best from the rivaling schools.

Belle Corporation, one of the country’s leading leisure property development companies, and Tagaytay Highlands, headed by founder Willy Ocier, have gained the rights to stage the high-profile duel for the next three years.