Fernando, Engino coast to quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Mhark Fernando and No. 2 Alvin Engino took out two rivals each in varying fashions while Anya Tanpinco thwarted Pamela Soriano, 2&1, to advance to the quarterfinal round of the match play in the Philippine Amateur Golf Championships presented by Samsung in Bukidnon yesterday.

The defending champion Fernando, who topped the 36-hole elims with a four-under 140 at the Del Monte Golf Club, held off Ondoy Mondilla, 2&1, in their morning duel at the start of the knockout phase then toughened up in the afternoon to repulse Paul Echavez, 2&1, in their last 16 clash.

“I had wanted a good start because that’s important in match play. Although I led by three with four holes left, Paul charged back with two birdies from No. 15,” said Fernando, who birdied No. 17 to finish off Echavez.

The twin victories set the spearhead of the ICTSI-Cangolf team up against ninth seed and local bet Clyde Mondilla, who flashed his familiarity with the layout in disposing off Arnie Fernando, 4&3, in the first round before upending eighth seed Jobim Carlos, 3&2.

Engino continued to dish out fine form in the lower bracket of the tournament conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and sponsored by Samsung, Titleist, Mizuno, Crestlink, A Round of Golf, Wow Magic Sing, Inquirer Golf Monthly and BCLN, as official clothing, beating Lawrence Celestino, 6&4, and Joey Huerva, 6&5.

He squares off with ICTSI-The Country Club’s Peter Villaber, who dominated Zanieboy Gialon, 5&4, before ousting No. 7 Art Arbole, 2&1.

Tanpinco, who dominated the elims in the ladies side of the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Gargol, ABW Leaves, N-Lyte, Carn-UTI, Dynamic Sports, International Armoring and Bluemansion, struggled past the 16th seeded Soriano to set a duel with Apple Fudolin, who overwhelmed Sarah Ababa, 7&6.

Reigning SEA Games individual gold medalist Chihiro Ikeda also outplayed Lucy Landichio, 8&7, to arrange an interesting quarterfinal round duel with ICTSI teammate Lovelynn Guioguio, who toppled Kristen Leonen, 3&1.

Third seed Miguel Tabuena also reached the Last 8 with a 4&3 victory over Noel Langamin before holding off World Am veteran Jerson Balasabas, 2&1, in the afternoon.

Tabuena faces Gio Gandionco in the quarterfinals today with the winners advancing to the semis set in the afternoon.

The 22nd-ranked Gandionco upset No. 11 Ernest Casintahan, 6&4, then stunned former Hong Kong Am Open champion and sixth seed Dante Becierra, 3&1.

Fourth seed Jhonnel Ababa whipped Justin Limjap, 6&4, then scrambled past Tristan Tabanas, 1-up, to set up a quarterfinal showdown with Julius Bautista, the least ranked player at No. 28, who shocked fifth seed Leonard Lofranco, 5&4, and outlasted Brion Minoza, 2&1.

Also advancing to the quarters in the ladies side are Andrea Unson, Irina Gabasa, Thai Yupaporn Kawinpakorn and local bet Eva Miñoza.

Unson booted out Sun Choi, 3&2; Gabasa beat Daniela Uy, 4&3; Kawinpakorn demolished Gendelnes Dela Cerna, 6&5; and Miñoza smothered Shery Villacencio, 7&5.

Top seed Iggy Clavecilla also led the surge of the fancied bets in the seniors side, outclassing Art Gacasan, 5&4, to set up a semis duel with No. 4 Clifford Celdran, who edged Efren Sarmiento, 1-up.