S’woods pulls away in Luzvimin tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Southwoods poised itself to reclaim the WGAP Luzvimin Golf Invitational crown as it pooled a 414 to pull away by 32 points over 2012 champion Del Monte after two rounds in the Diamond division at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country in Cagayan de Oro.

The Carmona-based squad, which seized control early by 19 points with a 201, followed up with a 213 for a two-day aggregate of 414 heading to the final round of the 54-hole tournament sponsored by Champion Infinity and organized by Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

Sunshine Baraquiel sizzled with 57 points under the Molave scoring system to lead Southwoods’ charge in the premier class with Sofia Chabon, Ysabel Blanco and Annika Cedo chipping in 55, 52 and 49 points, respectively, in the six-to-play, four-to-count format event.

Southwoods thus moved 18 holes away from regaining the crown it held for four straight years from 2008 but lost to Del Monte, also in Cagayan de Oro. The Southwoods ladies also fell short of their bid last year, losing to Villamor in the rain-hit edition in Bacolod.

Del Monte, led by Pamela Mariano’s 56 points and Rainstar Roque’s 51 markers, assembled a 382 after a 200 while Villamor, with Harmie Constantino and Chanelle Avaricio firing 56 and 52 points, respectively, stood in third place with a 372 after a 190. Sta. Elena scored a 165 for a 320 while Philippine Navy made a 276 after 146.

Mariano, meanwhile, took the individual lead with a 110, one point ahead of Constantino with Baraquiel and Chabon staying in the hunt with 107 and 106, respectively.

Forest Hills, with Sun Mi Hwang and Grace Atienza carding 49 and 45 points, respectively, shot a 176 for a 326 as it wrested a one-point lead over erstwhile joint leader Manila Southwoods, which had a 175-325, paced by Beachie Abiera’s 47 and Claire Ong’s 45 markers, in the Emerald division.

Valley I, with Kayla Nocum and Violeta Pegels shooting identical 40 points, turned in a 323 after a 155, guaranteeing a three-team shootout for the crown.

Apo Golf’s Irene Shimmura took the individual lead in Class A with 91 points, seven ahead of Del Monte’s Annika Mendoza, Aguinaldo’s Arvi Lobangco and Atienza, who all had 84s.