MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion De La Salle University and newcomer Lyceum of the Philippines clash in today’s championship round of the Intercollegiate Golf Championship as the Green Archers host the Pirates at their home course in Sherwood Hills in Gen. Trias, Cavite.
It is the fourth finals appearance for La Salle in five years, winning the first two editions, with a dominating performance in the two-round eliminations of this home-and-away format.
Lyceum clinched the last championship berth.
The Archers barged into the finals by sweeping College of Saint Benilde, 2-0, while the Pirates stunned the Blue Eagles in their rematch during the last play of elimination in this tournament sponsored by the Philippine Golf Foundation.
La Salle will rely on mainstays Allan Guy, Marvin Mendoza, Eric Gallardo, Gino Bunyi and Abby Olea, while Lyceum will lean on equally seasoned players including Lawrence Celestino, Gus Mata, Rjun Tinio, Wolen Superal and Patrick Uy.
The Archers hold the advantage against Pirates with back-to-back wins during their elimination round meetings this season. After today’s first round of the finals, Lyceum will host La Salle on its home turf at The Orchard in Dasmariñas, Cavite next Sunday.
Aside from Ateneo and St. Benilde, other schools that participated in the Intercollegiate Golf are the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas.