Zaragosa-De Claro rules Nat’l Doubles

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa and JP De Claro carded identical five-over 77s in demanding condition yesterday to bag the overall championship in the NGAP’s National Doubles Championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation.

The duo held on when the others crumbled, its 154 total for the day giving Zaragosa-De Claro a 302 overall for an 11-shot win over Luis Castro and GJ Katigbak, who had a 79 and 80, respectively, for 159 and a 291.

Castro-Katigbak settled for the Group I title in the event forming part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour held at the ravine-laden Eastridge layout in Binangonan, Rizal.

It was the first national team championship for Zaragosa and the first national title for De Claro.

Ricar Candinato and Ariel Villasencio, two strokes down at the start of the day, shot a 79 and 87, respectively, to finish three shots behind Castro-Katigbak.

Candinato and Villasencio, Davao natives who are part of the Eastridge program, made an impressive 74 in the first day but failed to sustain their charge.