‘Gun fight’ at Calatagan looms Meralco/MVPSF taekwondo tilt set May 21-22
CALATAGAN, Batangas – A shootout looms among the fancied bets right in the opener of the ICTSI Calatagan Invitational today with Clyde Mondilla, Mhark Fernando and Tony Lascuña slugging it out in the featured threesome at the Calatagan Golf Club here.
Mondilla is coming off a playoff win over Jobim Carlos at Eastridge two weeks ago while Fernando and Lascuña ruled the event when it was staged here last in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
That should make their 8:10 a.m. start on No. 10 worth watching with Mondilla brimming with confidence and the two others out to test the mettle of the fast-rising 23-year-old star from Del Monte who has racked up four victories in a young pro career.
“I feel good and I’m confident to score another victory,” said Mondilla, who, however, will be hard-pressed to complete a back-to-back feat given the depth of the competing field in the P2 million event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
‘We’re all aiming for a win here and that should make it tougher,” said Lascuña, adding that putting will be the key in this sixth leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “I just hope my putting will click unlike at Eastridge where I really struggled in all four days.”
Lascuña wound up tied for 11th at Manila Masters but the former three-time Order of Merit winner remains upbeat of his chances, together with Fernando, who beat Rufino Bayron by five to dominate the 2012 edition of this event.
Jhonnel Ababa and Jerson Balasabas, who with Fernando trained here for years under now-defunct National Caddies Program, are expected to contend for the top P360,000 purse given their familiarity with the up-and-down layout whose tight fairways require accurate shots off the mound.
In fact, Mondilla said he might keep his driver in the bag and would opt for a 3-wood or rescue off the tee to keep the ball in play and minimize his mistakes on a demanding course especially in the presence of the wind.
Balasabas kicks off his bid at 8:30 a.m. on No. 1 in the company of Dante Becierra and Miko Alejandro while Ababa clashes with Jay Bayron and Rico Depilo in the next group at 8:40 a.m.
Meanwhile, Albin Engino served notice of his title bid by topping yesterday’s pro-am where he steered his team made up of Raul Montealto, Ronnie Guico and Emmanuel Rabe to a winning 16-under 56 total. They edged Orlan Sumcad and teammates Rupert Sison, Dinno de Vera and Ely Camiling by one while Zanieboy Gialon, along with Elimar Caranguian, Carlos Tuason and Joel Iligan also pooled a 57 but lost in the countback for runner-up honors.
Engino and Gialon will start at 8 a.m. with Charles Hong on No. 1 while the long-hitting Sumcad drew Gerald Rosales and Nilo Salahog at 7:40 a.m., also on the first hole.
In other featured groups, Elmer Salvador, Joenard Rates and Rene Menor will tee off at 8:20 a.m. at the back to be followed by Rufino Bayron, Mars Pucay and rookie pro Justin Quiban while Cassius Casas is paired with Erwin Arcillas and Korean Jang Bong Hwan at 7:20 a.m. on No. 1.
Around 1,500 athletes will see action in the 2016 Meralco/ MVP Sports Foundation National New Face of the Year taekwondo championships on May 21-22 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Organizing Committee Chair Sung Chon Hong says the event is the Philippine Taekwondo Association’s commitment to push for the development of the sport as well as its support to the government’s grassroots sports program.
“This competition gives taekwondo newcomers the chance to show their techniques and styles as they bid to become the country’s future stars,” says Hong, PTA’s CEO (chief executive officer).
Fighters from all PTA chapters and branches in Metro Manila and the provinces including the various military commands will vie for honors in eight categories, namely, senior men and women, junior men and women, Cadet (men and women), and grade school (boys and girls).
Each category has competition for advance and novice fighters.
Taekwondo is considered as the most popular martial art sports here due to the country’s success in prestigious international events. Only recently, two Filipino female fighters – Kirstie Elaine Alora and Pauline Lopez – made waves in the Asian qualifying tournament for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the Asian Championships held last month at the Marriott Convention Center in Pasay City.
Alora earned a slot in the Rio Olympic Games set this August while Lopez bagged a gold medal in the 22nd Asian Championships.
The tourney is supported by SMART Communications Inc., Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, PLDT and Milo.
Parents interested to enroll their children in taekwondo and other sports enthusiasts are invited to witness the competition, which starts at 9 a.m.