Confident Angelo begins Cebu quest

MANILA, Philippines - Angelo Que hopes to ride the momentum of his playoff victory in Malaysia last week and nail the elusive win on the local circuit as he sets out in the Aboitiz Cebu Country Club Invitational firing off today at the CCC layout in Cebu City.

The best player never to have won a local tour leg this year, Que is oozing with confidence heading into the P1 million event after snapping a two-year title drought on the Asian Tour with a playoff victory over Englishman Chris Rodgers in the Selangor Masters.

Unlike in his previous wins, however, Que said he won’t fall into the same trap again.

“One mistake that I had after winning was that I was full of confidence but I kept missing cuts right away,” said Que referring to his first two Asian Tour titles in 2004 (Vietnam Masters) and 2008 (Philippine Open).

“I think my expectations went up but winning doesn’t mean you’re going to be hitting perfect shots all the time. This time, I’m going to play it like I haven’t won anything. I won’t expect so many good shots and will just play it as it is,” he said.

What he must anticipate is the early charge of the tour’s other big guns, headed by fellow Asian Tour campaigners Juvic Pagunsan, Tony Lascuña, Mars Pucay, Artemio Murakami and leg winners Elmer Salvador, Marvin Dumandan and Benjie Magada – all raring to foil Que’s title bid.

Add Frankie Miñoza into the mix and Que truly has a deep roster of challengers to contend with for the top P200,000 purse in the 54-hole championship sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures.

Miñoza, for one, is out to annex a victory in a rare appearance on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, hoping to turn in an under-par total over a tough, tight course which requires accuracy.

“An over-par total won’t win here despite the course being tricky,” said Miñoza, on a break from his European Seniors Tour and Japan PGA Tour campaigns.

Que actually started the year with a runaway victory in The Country Club Invitational but has struggled on the ICTSI-PGT circuit, forcing to take a 10-day break last month for a fitness and diet regimen.

“I took a one and a half week break in Koh Samui (in Thailand last month) and went with my wife to a yoga retreat center. I went on a no meat diet and I started from scratch and it helped me a lot to get my mind off things,” said Que, who jumped from 21st to No. 9 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit rankings.

Also in the 79-player roster are Ferdie Aunzo, Jay Bayron, Antonio Asistio II, Rufino Bayron, Richard Sinfuego, Jun Bernis, Elmer Saban, Michael Bibat, Gene Bondoc, Anthony Fernando, Jerome Delariarte, Omar Dungca, Cookie La’O, Rey Pagunsan, Carito Villaroman, Danny Zarate and former RP Open champion Robert Pactolerin.

Keen competition is also seen in the amateur side of the tournament, presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., as the cream of crop vies for low medal honors. They include reigning champion Clyde Mondilla, Mhark

Fernando, Jhonnel Ababa, Jerson Balasabas, Peter Villaber and Dante Becierra.

The Aboitiz tournament serves as the 10th leg of the 14-stage ICTSI-PGT circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by MJ Carr Golf

Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf,

Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.