Southwoods masters field, seals 3-peat

DAVAO, Philippines – Manila Southwoods Masters played pressure-free all day and matched rival Cebu Country Club’s closing 146 to romp away with a 22-point victory and complete a first-ever three-peat in the eighth PAL Ladies Interclub at the Rancho Palos Verdes layout here yesterday.

Miya Legaspi fired 53 Molave points while Annika Cedo and Missy Legaspi backed her up with 47 and 46 points, respectively, for that 146 as the talent-laden Southwoods Masters duplicated its romp in the event’s revival in 2011 here and in Iloilo last year where it dominated Del Monte twice for the rare feat.

“It was nice to play without feeling any pressure at all. But we did not want to celebrate early. I just told the girls to be cautious and play steady. Everyone is happy to get our three-peat,” said Southwoods Masters team captain Beachie Abiera, who didn’t count for the second straight day with a 42.

Counting its earlier rounds of 144, 155 and 147, Southwoods Masters finished with a 592 total, keeping its overnight 22-point lead intact as Cebu CC failed to gain any headway in the final round that virtually served as the coronation day for the Carmona, Cavite-based squad.

CCC team captain Kim Hong did come up with a strong finishing kick worth 55 points, one-under in stroke play, but Stephanie Olea and Jyra Wong could only score 47 and 44, respectively, for that 146 and a 570.

Ryoko Nagai’s 31 didn’t figure in the four-to-play, three-to-count format event sponsored by Philippine Airlines.

Despite the loss, the Cebuanos vowed to bounce back next year with a mature, title-hungry roster.

“We will definitely be back and stronger next year. As to whether we’ll field in the same nucleus, it will be a surprise,” said CCC general manager Jeric Hechanova, whose squad included 12-year-old Junia Gabasa, 16-year-old Alyeska Yunam, and 14-year-old Louise Kaye Go.

Abegail Arevalo, a Team ICTSI mainstay who started for Southwoods Masters along with Lora Roberto, Kat Gonzales and Claire Ong, also took the individual crown in the premier division with a 106 while Roberto placed second at 103 to underscore the team’s domination.

Up by 22 points after three rounds, the Southwoods ladies never really gave their rivals a chance for a comeback with Miya Legaspi gunning down a birdie on the opening hole. Though she stumbled with a double-bogey on the ninth and made three bogeys in a six-hole stretch from No. 7, she put on a fiery windup, birdying the last three holes in close range to salvage a one-over 53 card.

“Overall, my game was okay except for those three-putts on 10 and 13,” said Legaspi, who also rescued two pars in four times that she went out of regulation at the front.

Alabang I also coasted to a whopping 59-point victory over Southwoods Legends as it re-claimed the Founders Division crown with a 528 after a 125. Southwoods Legends scored a second straight 114 and wound up with a 469 while Valley South finished third with a 459 after a 112.

Tagaytay Highlands closed out with a 103 for joint fourth at 417 with Mactan, which had a 108, while Ilolo finished sixth at 375 after a 99.

Apo I retained the Sportswriters Division crown with a 121 for a 506 and a 54-point win over Rancho Palos Verdes I, which had a 117 and a 452 while Pueblo de Oro pooled a 391 after a 98 for third while Eagle Ridge rallied with a 107 to place fourth at 386, edging Victorias, which had a 102 for a 382.

The Lady Eagles from Australia fired a brilliant 137 to run away with the Friendship Division crown with a 465 and a 20-point victory over Davao City, which had a 121 and a 445. Aguinaldo came in third at 413 after a 126 followed by Alabang 2 (109-406), Valley North (91-377), Villamor (82-348), Apo 2 (87-345) and Cebu Country Club 2 (68-280).

For details and updates, visit www.palladiesinterclub.com <http://www.palladiesinterclub.com/> .

The event was backed by Airbus, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Purefoods, Magnolia Healthy Refreshments, Ginebra San Miguel, Magnolia Purewater, San Mig Coffee, Magnolia Ice Cream and San Mig Purefoods and supported by Merck Inc. Philippines and Diamond Hotel.