Superal turns pro at ICTSI Sherwood Lions resume Final 4 bid vs Bombers

Princess Superal launches her pro career on the very circuit that helped hone her craft, expecting a different kind of challenge and pressure from an elite field in the ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Classic beginning today at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

“I’m happy to launch my pro career here in LPGA where I sharpened my talent and skills,” said Superal, who won three tournaments on the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour and the country’s best bet as the next LPGA campaigner. “I just hope to play to my ability and give myself a chance in the final round.”

The former US Girls’ Junior champion will have her hands full right in the first day of the P750,000 event sponsored by ICTSI as she drew LPGA veteran Cyna Rodriguez and Jayvie Agojo in the featured threesome at 7:40 a.m.

Jennifer Rosales was actually scheduled to join the 54- hole championship serving as the seventh leg of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. But the two-time LPGA winner begged off at the last minute due to personal reasons, leaving the event one less player who could complete a dream threesome among the old, new and future of Philippine ladies golf.

But with Rodriguez and four Thais in the fold, the chase for the top P150,000 purse remains wide open with Superal, who has piled a number of victories here and abroad as an amateur, eyeing to hit the jackpot right in her pro debut in the circuit backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Sharp, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Champion, TaylorMade, Ping, Yamaha and Pacsports.

“The field is tough and I expect a very challenging week,” said Superal, who easily hurdled the LPGA Stage I, finishing joint second at Rancho Mirage, California last month.

She is also wary of the Thai challenge, headed by former leg winner Amolkan Phalajivin, who is out to atone for a series of mediocre showings after upending Rodriguez at LPGT Splendido Classic two years ago.

“I’m feeling better with my game now,” said Phalajivin, who honed for two months in the US. “But I’m not expecting anything, I just want to do my best every time and enjoy my time on the course.”

She also has high hopes for her compatriots, including Chatprapa Siriprakob, Aunchisa Utama and Ajira Nualraksa.

San Beda and Jose Rizal U collide today in a key duel with the Lions seeking at least a playoff for a Final Four berth and the Bombers trying to stay in the semis hunt in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lions blew their first crack at the semis playoff when they fell to the surging Mapua Cardinals in overtime, 97-101, last Friday. But the Mendiola-based school is raring to rebound against a JRU side also out to nail the all-important win to fuel its own semis bid.

That makes their 2 p. m. crucial with odds about even for the Lions, in the lead with an 11- 3 card, and the Bombers, in fifth with an 8- 6 slate.

Perpetual Help and Arellano are tied at No. 2 with 10-3 records while Mapua is at No. 4 with an 8-5 mark.

Along with JRU, defending champion Letran remains in the semis race with a 7-7 card while Lyceum of the Phl U and Emilio Aguinaldo College keep their slim hopes alive with 5-9 slates and San Sebastian College half a game behind at 5-10,

JRU upended San Beda, 79- 73, in their first round meeting last Aug. 9 with the Bombers also expected to cash in on Cameroonian Donald Tankoua’s absence to score a repeat.

The Lions, meanwhile, have split their last four outings in the absence of Tankoua although San Beda coach Jamike Jarin remains upbeat of his wards’ chances.

Arellano U and Perpetual Help, meanwhile, try to stay close with San Beda as the they take on Lyceum and Letran at 12 noon and 4 p.m., respectively.