South sweeps North in Foursomes, wrests lead

MANILA, Philippines - Held to even terms in the first 12 matches in team play, South swept North, 4-0, in the second Foursomes yesterday and took a big 10-6 lead heading to today’s conclusion of The Duel – a 12 singles match card at the Alabang Country Club.

Tony Lascuña and Clyde Mondilla clipped Randy Garalde and James Ryan Lam with a 4&3 romp, Jay Bayron and Ferdie Aunzo won the 18th and completed a 2-up victory over Miguel Tabuena and Mars Pucay, while Charles Hong and Jhonnel Ababa took the 17th hole for a 3&1 win over Michael Bibat and Jun Bernis.

Juvic Pagunsan and Rufino Bayron were all square with Carl Ocampo-Santos and Edward Reyes after No. 14 but they swept the next three holes to post a 3&1 triumph and complete South’s stirring shutout win in the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

“I didn’t expect a sweep because the North’s lineup is also strong. I just fielded in the best from my team,” said South skipper Jerome Delariarte.

His best indeed proved better than their North counterparts with the 4-0 rout coming after the two teams drew their first three matches, including another 2-2 standoff in the second Fourball in morning play, keeping the match tied at 6 halfway through the second day of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

But the Southerners, with their top gunners Lascuña and Pagunsan put in the last two flights in the Foursomes, delivered in the final team play with all four pairs gaining the upperhand and momentum after nine holes.

Lascuña and Mondilla, teaming up for the four straight time, stretched their 1-up lead to 3-up by winning Nos. 10 and 11 and clinched the win after taking No. 14 and halving the next hole.

Jay Bayron and Aunzo went 2-up at the turn, yielded No. 14 but held on to keep the lead before frustrating the Tabuena-Pucay tandem by winning the 18th. Hong and Ababa also went 2-up after No. 15 then took the 16th for that 3&1 romp.

“They wanted to finish the second round on a high note. They talked to go for a sweep if they got the chance,” said Delariarte.

They did.

Now, the Southerners need only to win four and halve one of the 12 singles matches today to retain the crown they won, 16-12 in last year’s inaugurals of the event backed by KIA, Ping, Nike Golf, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Pacsports, Callaway, Cleveland, FootJoy, Srixon, Titleist, Empire Golf and Sports Shop and Sharp.

Despite the lead, Delariarte remains wary of their North rivals, who also took a 4-point lead into the singles matches but lost the Duel as South won nine singles matches.

Que cited South’s awesome putting while ruing his wards’ struggle on the putting surface but vowed to bounce back strong in the deciding singles matches.

“It is important the first few singles to get us on track again,” said Que, who is expected to put in his aces in the first six flights in today’s deciding round.