Foreign cast out to stall Lascuña

MANILA, Philippines – Micah Shin and Tarik Can hope to provide the foreign challenge lacking in the last couple of Philippine Golf Tour events, beefing up the stellar cast out to slow down and stop a red-hot Tony Lascuña in the ICTSI South Pacific Classic unfolding today in Davao.

While Lascuña is coming out fresh from a much-needed break following a series of grueling tournaments that netted him back-to-back feats in Taiwan and at Apo the last two weeks, the likes of Shin and Can are likewise ready to slug it out with the streaking Davaoeño ace along with the rest of the 81-player cast in the star-studded P3 million event.

“It’s been quite a good rest. Okay na yun, at least I was able to re-charge,” said Lascuña, who drew former fellow PGT Asia leg winner James Ryan Lam and Fidel Concepcion on No. 1 at 8 a.m.

“But there are many good players around, so it’s going to be tough,” he added.

They include Shin, back on the PGT after toughening up in various tournaments in other regional circuits. The reed-thin but power-hitting Korean-American, who honed his talent and skills here in Davao and winner of The Country Club Invitational last year, opens his bid at 8:50 a.m. on No. 10 with Edgar Ababa and Peter Villaber.

Can, who humbled the tough international field to reign at Aboitiz Invitational in tough conditions at Wack Wack last month, is also back after an abbreviated stint at Apo last week where he withdrew in the second round with a hand injury.

But back in top shape, the bearded American hopes to contend for the crown worth P550,000 – and like the rest of the 81-player cast – for the bragging rights as the winner of the first PGT event held at the new South Pacific Golf & Leisure Estates.

“The course is tough, especially the greens. But I still feel good about my chances although there are a lot of other strong players around,” said Lascuña.