Fernando, Tanpinco emerge match play top seeds

MANILA, Philippines - Mhark Fernando and Anya Tanpinco came away with under-par rounds for the second straight time to top their respective divisions at the close of the 36-hole stroke play elims in the Philippine Amateur Golf Championships presented by Samsung at the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon yesterday.

Fernando, who routed Korean Jeung Hun Wang, 5&4, to dominate last year’s finals, shot a 71 after a 69 for a 140 as he took the top seeding heading into the match play phase of the tournament.

The spearhead of the ICTSI-Cangolf team faces Ondoy Mondilla in today’s first round of the knockout stage in the morning game with the winners advancing to the second round set in the afternoon. Mondilla had 76-77 and a 153 and took the last spot at No. 32.

Alvin Engino emerged the only other player to close out the elims with under-par cards, a pair of 71s as he gained the No. 2 spot for a duel with No. 31 Lawrence Celestino in the lower half of the draw.

Teener Miguel Tabuena, who had a 70 in the first round, closed out with a 73 for third followed by Jhonnel Ababa, who completed the ICTSI-Cangolf team’s sweep of the top four spots with a 73 and a 144.

Leonard Lofranco (75-145) wound up fifth followed by ICTSI-The Country Club’s Dante Becierra (72-145), Art Arbole (68-145), Jobim Carlos (74-146), Clyde Mondilla (75-146) and Peter Villaber (73-146) in that order.

Tanpinco, on the other hand, fired a 69 to dominate the ladies elims of the tournament sponsored by Titleist, Mizuno, Crestlink, A Round of Golf, Wow Magic Sing, Inquirer Golf Monthly and BCLN, as official clothing. She had a 139, seven shots clear of second placer and ICTSI teammate Chihiro Ikeda, who had a 146 after a 75.

Thai bet Yupaport Kawinpakorn also pooled a 146 after a 73 and took the No. 3 spot followed by Andrea Unson (73-149), Irina Gabasa (75-151) of Cebu, local bet Eva Minoza (74-155), Lovelynn Guioguio (77-156), Apple Fudolin (77-156), Sarah Ababa (78-158) and Kristen Leonen (75-158).

Other first round match play pairings pit Tabuena vs Noel Langamin (71-152); Ababa vs Justin Limjap (72-152); Lofranco vs Julius Bautista (74-152); Becierra vs Bayani Garcia (74-152); Arbole vs Lloyd Go (77-152); Carlos vs Sonny Villaber (77-152); Mondilla vs Arnie Fernando (72-151); and Villaber vs Zanieboy Gialon (77-151).

Tanpinco, a former two-time winner here, takes on No. 16 Pamela Mariano at the start of the knockout stage in the ladies side of the event organized by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and supported by Custom Clubmakers, Gargol, ABW Leaves, N-Lyte, Carn-UTI, Dynamic Sports, International Armoring and Bluemansion.

Ikeda, the reigning SEA Games individual champion, battles Lucy Landicho, while Kawinpakorn squares off with Gendelnes dela Cerna. Others matches pit Unson vs Sun Choi, Gabasa vs Daniela Uy, Minoza vs Sheryl Villacencio, Guioguio vs Kristen Leonen, and Fudolin vs Ababa.

Iggy Clavecilla, meanwhile, topped the seniors elims with a 153 after a 75 to set up a first round duel with Art Gacasan while Nonoy Dulfo, who settled for No. 2 with a 153 after a 75, mixes it up with Osamu Ikeda. No. 3 Pili Sison tangles with Norman Tugot while No. 4 Clifford Celdran takes on Efren Sarmiento. -- end it//thanks