Epic shootout looms for Juvic, Angelo

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite, Philippines ­– Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan drew each other in an explosive first round showdown between two of the country’s leading players, both seeking a victory and confidence-boost for their respective campaigns abroad in the P2.5 million ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship beginning today at the Palmer Course here.

Que, priming up for the US Open qualifier, hopes to make the most of his debut on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour after spending much of his time campaigning on the Asian Tour the last few years, where he has logged three victories, including the Philippine Open in 2008.

“I’d like to win here before heading to the US Open qualifying next week in Tokyo,” said Que, during a break in yesterday’s pro-am tournament of the event serving as the fourth leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Pagunsan, meanwhile, is out to improve on his joint third place finish at ICTSI Calatagan two weeks ago with the smooth-swinging former Asian Tour Order of Merit champion likewise using the 72-hole championship as part of his buildup for his Japan PGA Tour campaign which he will resume next week.

The fancied duo will be joined by amateur Ace Stehmeier in the featured 7:35 a.m. flight.

But a slew of others will be out to foil their bid for the top P450,000 purse, including this year’s leg champions Miguel Tabuena (Sherwood), Jay Bayron (Camp John Hay) and Tony Lascuña (Calatagan), who are all raring to nail their second win in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

“I think I have a good chance this week,” said Bayron, who rallied from five strokes down to edge Tabuena on the second playoff hole and claim the ICTSI John Hay crown in Baguio last month. “But I need to watch out for Juvic and Tony, who are both title contenders.”

Bayron will start at 7:55 in the company of Charles Hong and Ferdie Aunzo, Lascuña drew a 9 a.m. tee-off with Richard Sinfuego and Mhark Fernando, while Tabuena kicks off his bid at 9:20 a.m. along with Clyde Mondilla and Japanese Tomo Yoshinaga.

Robert Pactolerin, meanwhile, makes a comeback of sort as he joins the 7 a.m. flight of Orlan Sumcad and Dutch Guido Van der Valk, while Michael Bibat and Marvin Dumandan are also due for a big win in the event backed by Nike Golf, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, Mizuno, Titleist, Srixon, Foot Joy, Callaway, Pacsports, Custom Clubmakers, Cleveland Golf and Sharp with Balls, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Inquirer Golf as media partners.

Bibat pressed his bid for a breakthrough win by leading his team composed of Rey Martinez, Ivan Justiniano and Regis Casquejo to victory in yesterday’s pro-am tournament with 55. Randy Garalde, with amateur partners Paolo Olives, Ferdie Yu and Bingy Lopez, placed second with 57 while Jhonnel Ababa, Richard Joson, Ronnie Baterna and Frank Velarde finished third with 58.

Others tipped to contend for the crown are Zanie Boy Gialon, Carl Santos-Ocampo, Mars Pucay, Gerald Rosales, Rufino Bayron and Cassius Casas.

The ICTSI Orchard is the second of seven P2.5 million events lined up this year with the Aboitiz Invitational, also an Asian Development Tour leg, to be held next on July 24-27 in Cebu. The ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat will be played on July 31-Aug. 3 to be followed by the ICTSI Manila Southwoods Championship on Sept. 4-7, the ICTSI Riviera Classic on Oct. 16-19, and the season-ending ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on Nov. 20-23.