Abdon expects tough duel vs Gandionco

MANILA, Philippines - John Kier Abdon came away with a pair of convincing victories to arrange an explosive showdown with Gio Gandionco while Jonar Austria and Andres Saldana forged the other semifinal duel in the Philippine Amateur Match Play (Closed) Championship at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite yesterday.

Abdon, who topped the 36-hole stroke play elims Thursday, disposed of No. 16 Mel Cubillo, 3&2, in the morning Last 16 clash then routed Rene Menor, 4&3, in the afternoon to set up a Final Four showdown with No. 4 Gandionco, who routed Ramir Roque, 6&3, then survived Chepe Dulay, 1-up, to remain in the title hunt.

The second seeded Austria held off Don Petil, 3&1, then fended off Lawrence Celestino, 1-up, to set up a semis showdown with the 11th ranked Saldana, the top Alabang bet who stunned Joey Huerva, 1-up, in the morning then booted out Reymon Jaraula, 3&2, to gain a crack at a finals berth in the event serving as the third leg of the Globe Amateur Golf Circuit and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Dottie Ardina, meanwhile, led the charge of the ICTSI-backed bets in the ladies side of the tournament, backed by Suntrust Properties, Inc., Airphil Express, Titleist (Empire Golf), Pancake House, Golf Depot and official hotel Microtel Suites, as she humbled veteran Eva Miñoza, 4&2, for a semis showdown with teammate Lovelynn Guioguio.

The fourth ranked Guioguio, winner of the Philippine Amateur Open title last January, outsteadied Rainstar Roque in the second extra hole to salvage a spot in the Final Four while Sunshine Baraquiel and Jayvie Agojo fashioned out a pair of easy wins in the other side of the bracket.

The second ranked Baraquiel ran away with a 7&6 win over Jan Punzalan while the third seeded Agojo defeated Apple Fudolin, 4&2.

Caloy Coscolluela thumped Bonifacio de Castro, 5&4, to arrange a semis duel with top seed Lino Magpantay, who drew a bye, in the seniors division of the event conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

No. 7 Jose Vilchez also pulled off a shock win over second seed Bing Bunye, 4&3, for a semis clash with Kinitchi Kitamura, who defeated Ryan Abdon, 4&3.

In the mid-amateur division, top seed Dennis Gonzales drew a bye then breezed through with a 5&4 rout of Deo Aguinaldo to seal a semis clash with Jingy Tuazon, who beat Juan Ibazeta, 3&2, then smothered Nico Santiano, 7&6.

No. 7 Rodel Mangulabnan routed Den Den De Castro, 5&4, in the morning then upset second seed Aian Arcilla, 2&1, to arrange a semis clash with Sherwood golf manager Raymond Bunquin, who thumped Kozono Takayuki, 4&3, then dominated Toffee Tionko, 5&4.