Wipe out Del Monte's huge lead, S'woods aces take charge

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Southwoods Masters came out strong with its new three-woman team and fired a sizzling 143, wiping out what had seemed to be a huge 32-point lead into a six-point margin over a stunned Del Monte side in the third round of the PAL Ladies Interclub at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo City yesterday.

Miya Legaspi, a 13-year-old former US Kids, Optimist and Junior World champion, shot 50 Molave points while Sunshine Baraquiel and Annika Cedo backed her up with a pair of solid 48 and 45 points, respectively, for that 143 as the Carmona-based squad pooled a 54-hole haul of 378 to move within 18 holes away from retaining the crown in the centerpiece Championship Division.

Del Monte, who strung up 137 and 130 to lead by 32 points halfway through the event, tumbled down with a 105 output for a 372 aggregate as Eva Miñoza shot 46 but failed to draw support from Rain Roque, who settled for a 38, and Maribel San Miguel, who made a measly 21.

“Our strategy paid off. We have a better chance of retaining our title by fielding our top players for the last two days,” said Nini Samaniego, assistant team captain of Southwoods.

Cebu City, with Abby Olea and Alyeska Yunam carding identical 47s, pulled away in the Founders Division, assembling a 120 for a 341, 22 points ahead of Alabang, which had a 319 after a 101, while Villamor shot a 109 for third at 314.

Sta. Elena struggled with a 98 and dropped to fourth at 310 followed by Negros (79-291), Singapore Raffles (96-281), Camp John Hay (98-268) and Pueblo de Oro (79-229).

Apo Golf also moved a round away from clinching the Friendship Division crown as it remained 31 points up on Rancho Palos despite an 86 for a 280. Palos Verdes had a 75 for a 249 while Camp Aguinaldo made a 244 after a 75.

Davao Golf shot a 95 for a 237 followed by Iloilo Golf (77-233), Alabang (63-221), Manila Golf (73-205), Victorias (89-204) and Team Japan (74-190).

Tagaytay Highlands likewise virtually wrapped up the Sportswriters Division plum with a 326 after a 111, 49 points ahead of Bacolod Golf, which had a 97-277. Valley Golf is in third with a 266 after an 80 followed by Eagle Ridge (94-259), Lady Eagles Aus (88-259), Mactan Island (89-236) and Southwoods Legends (73-224).

The event 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 & Spa, Print Town/Lexmedia and Tanduay Distillers and Hyatt Hotel & Casino.