Que skippers North squad in The Duel

ANGELO Que, fresh from his emphatic come-from-behind victory in last week’s ICTSI Orchard Golf Championship, tries his hand in team play as he skippers the North squad seeking to get even with its South counterpart in The Duel firing up June 5 at the Alabang Golf and Country Club.

“I think we have a great chance this year,” said Que, who marked his return to the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour with a resounding victory at the Orchard where he battled from four strokes down to beat Tony Lascuna by four with a career-best 10-under 62 two weeks ago.

“Everyone in the North team is eager and highly motivated to get back at them (South team),” said the three-time Asian Tour champion and former Philip- pine Open winner.

The North squad, then handled by Cookie La’O, dominated the first day action, 8-4, and held on to a 9-7 lead after the fourball and foursomes formats. But the Southerners rallied in the singles matches in the final day, winning nine of 12 to snatch the championship, 16-12, in last year’s inaugurals of the Ryder Cup-style event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

With an army of aces in his roster, including Juvic Pagunsan, Que and the North squad seek no less than a payback.

“Juvic is playing and that should be interesting,” said Que, referring to the former Asian Tour No. 1 who made himself available for the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by KIA, Ping, Nike Golf, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Pacsports, Callaway, Cleveland, FootJoy, Srixon, Titleist, Empire Golf and Sports Shop and Sharp.

Other members of the team are ICTSI Sherwood Hills champion Miguel Tabuena, veteran Asian Tour campaigner and last year’s ICTSI Iloilo leg winner Mars Pucay, former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales, former Asian Games bronze medalist Michael Bibat, Carl Santos-Ocampo, James Ryan Lam, Jun Bernis, Benjie Magada, Joenard Rates, Randy Garalde and Edward Reyes, who placed second to Tabuena at Sherwood Classic. Christopher delos Santos is the team’s co-captain.

But they are expected to have their hands full against an equally talented South team led by reigning ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit champion Tony Lascuna, also the winner of this year’s ICTSI Calatagan leg, and recent ICTSI John Hay stage champion Jay Bayron.

The field will slug it out in foursomes (alternate shot) and fourball (best ball) formats in the first two days with four matches on tap each day. The singles, a total of 12 matches, will be played in the final day on June 7.

The first team to win 14 ½ points clinches the Duel crown.

A pro-am tournament will precede the Duel on June 3 with the leading pros teaming up with the amateur players from the sponsoring ICTSI and the event’s chief backers.