S'woods virtual Interclub champ with 45-pt edge

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Southwoods unleashed another ace in Regine de Guzman, who fired a three-under 69 worth 57 PAL points as the Carmona-based squad virtually wrapped up the crown with a 45-point lead over Del Monte with one round left in the Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub tournament in Davao yesterday.

De Guzman hit three birdies on her homeward trip at the frontside of the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club course for that 57 while Sunshine Baraquiel and Beachie Abiera added 53 and 44 points, respectively, for a 154, putting Southwoods unassailably ahead at 468 after three rounds of play.

That was 45 points ahead of Del Monte, who had a 423 after a 141 as Lovelyn Guioguio scored 53 points and Taj Tabanas and 12-year-old Rainstar Roque added 44 points apiece. Pam Mariano didn’t count with a 39.  

“We’re in great position. It takes off the pressure,” said Abiera, skipper of Southwoods-Masters, which also leaned on Jayvie Agojo’s 69 output in the second round to storm to a 32-point lead at the halfway mark of the four-day championship.

In the Founders Division, Negros slowed down with a 96 for 364 and found its midway mark lead of 26 reduce to two as two-time champion Alabang closed in at 362 after a solid 120.

Jocelyn Garcia scored a 42 but Joanne Reyes struggled with a 31 and Joan Rojas groped for a 23 for Negros.

In contrast, Alabang drew 41 points from Ana Luisa Mendoza, 40 points from Korean Jang Eun-sil and a 39 from Joan Morales in the four-to-play, three-to-count format.

Manila Southwoods-Legends kept the lead in the Sportswriters Division with a 306 after a 100 although Eagle Ridge closed the gap at 11 points with a 295 after a 109.

Serafina Young-mi led Southwoods with 38 points while Sandy Velhagen and Belle Villanueva shot 31 points apiece.

Arlette Dizon and Leonila Patricio shared honors with identical 40 points while Rosemarie Johnsen added a 29 for Eagle Ridge.

Host Rancho Palos Verdes likewise moved 18 holes away from wrapping up the Friendship Division crown as it pooled a 301 after a 97 for a whopping 38-point lead over Apo Golf, who assembled an 84 for a 263.

Davao Golf is in third with a 250 after 93.