Wonder Girl powers Del Monte in PAL golf

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven-year-old Sofia Chabon showed up her older, veteran rivals with 44 points as Del Monte assembled a 130 to pull away by 32 points over Manila Southwoods Masters halfway through the seventh PAL Ladies Interclub at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City yesterday.

 Chabon, whose 41 didn’t count in the first round of the 72-hole, four-to-play, three-to-count championship, came up smoking this time, her 44 Molave points, equivalent to 10-over 80 in stroke play, leading the team’s charge that included two 43s from Kristine Leonen and Pamela Mariano.

Counting their first round output of 137, the Del Monte ladies now have a 267 aggregate heading to the last two rounds where the undermanned Southwoods will be hard-pressed to bounce back with just three players.

Abegail Arevalo turned in a second 44 while Beachie Abiera and Christine Naidoo had 38 and 37, respectively, as the Carmona-based squad hardly improved from a 116 with a 119 for a 235.

“It’s too early to think about the title,” said Del Monte skipper Maribel San Miguel. “With all the pressure coming our way, we are more than motivated to play our best.”

The defending champions, however, hope to rebound on a team built around Sunshine Baraquiel, Annika Cedo and Mia Legaspi against Del Monte’s Eva Miñoza, Rain Roque, Apple Fudolin, Roslyn de Pedro and San Miguel.

“I am still optimistic that we can pull it through,” Abiera said.

In Founders Division, Cebu County Club slowed down with a 109 after a 112 but remained on top with 221 although Alabang inched closer at 216 after a 112.

Sta. Elena shot a 111 to join Negros, which had a 105, at third with 212s while Villamor pooled a 205 after a 100 followed by Singapore Raffles (102-185), Camp John Hay (79-170) and Pueblo (79-150).

Apo Golf broke away from the field in the Friendship Division, assembling a 100 for a 194 and a 20-point lead over Ranchos Palos Verdes, which had a 174 after a 79 while Camp Aguinaldo scored a 96 and a 169 for third.

Tagaytay Highlands also pulled away in the Sportswriters Division with a 106 and a 215, 29 points ahead of Valley, which had a 186 after an 88, while Bacolod shot an 87 for a 180.

The event, which drew 26 teams, has adopted the theme Fairways & Magic and is sponsored by Airbus, Asia Brewery, Avis Car Rental, Department of Tourism, Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Media Five, Stargate Media and Solar Entertainment.

The PALakbayan sponsors are B/E Aerospace, Boeing International Corp., RMN Networks and Sarabia Manor Hotel & Conventions Center. Donors include Amazing Planet, Century Properties, Diamond Hotel Phils., EDSA Shangri-La, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Print Town/Lexmedia and Tanduay Distillers and Hyatt Hotel and Casino.