Zaragosa rips 2 rivals, gains quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa bundled out two rivals in lopsided fashions to roll into the quarterfinals of the Philippine Amateur Match Play Championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at The Orchard’s Palmer layout in Dasmariñas, Cavite yesterday.

Zaragosa, who won this tournament as a 13-year-old three years ago, put away Ira Alido, 7&6, in the first round before blasting host club mainstay Ace Stehmeier, 6&5, to seal a quarterfinal clash with Yuuto Katsarugawa.

The Japanese, after a 1-up victory over Peter Paul Salvador in the first round, nipped Ryan Monsalve 2&1. Monsalve booted out Junior World champion Kristopher Arevalo, 5&3, in the first round.

Justin Quiban, who topped the 36-hole qualifier, didn’t make it past the first day of the knockout phase as he bowed out in the second round, dropping a 4&2 setback to Korean expat Kim Tae-woo in one of the afternoon matches of the event backed by Pancake House, Pacsports and Golf Depot as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour. He earlier beat Gabby Manotoc, 4 and 3.

Woo, however, will take on the most experienced player in the fold – former pro Eddie Bagtas, who beat two young guns to make the quarterfinals of his first individual event since reverting back to the ranks this year.

Bagtas, who helped Luisita unseat Canlubang in the PAL Interclub Senior championship in Bacolod last February, ripped the eighth-seeded Raymart Tolentino, 4&3, before disposing of Jets Sajulga, 2&1, in the Last 16.

Japan’s Gen Nagai, who won the Junior Am title two weeks ago at Sherwood Hills, also set himself up for a clash with another veteran in Antonio Asistio after conquering Carlo Gatmaitan, 6&5, and Del Monte standout Jelbert Gamolo, 3&2.

Asistio trounced Meynard Ko, 5&4, then dispatched Kevin Saclot, 3&2.

King Stehmeier and Korean teen Park Min-ung will play in the other quarterfinal match after downing separate rivals in emphatic fashions.

Stehmeier, the anchor of the Orchard squad that won the Interclub’s men’s title in Bacolod this year, first scored a 5&4 victory over Shin Ye-sub, before beating Lanz Uy apart via the same score.

Park, the Junior Am champion last year, scored a 6&5 win over Larry Patnogon before taking out Niko Santiano, 5&3.