Asistio-Eustaquio seeks repeat as Pro-am unfolds

Former national players Tonton Asistio and Jude Eustaquio hope to buck early pressure from a slew of crack tandems as they begin their chase for back-to-back crowns in the Delimondo National Pro-am at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas today.

Asistio and Eustaquio, members of the bronze medal team in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, nipped Jelbert Gamolo and Jolo Magcalayo in sudden death in last year’s inaugural staging of the event put up by ICTSI with the duo seeking to build early momentum for another shot at the title in the P2 million championship.

“Pressure is inherent in the game. The expectation to do well certainly adds anxiety. But we are lucky that we are very comfortable with each other.

I just want us to have fun as we compete out there. It is always a privilege to play and compete together,” said Eustaquio, golf director at Forest Hills.

But they surely expect the rest to likewise dish out their best with some pros even tapping new amateur partners to bolster their respective bids for the top P360,000 purse in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Gamolo has linked up with many time amateur champion Rupert Zaragosa, Rolando Marabe Jr., joint fifth last year with Gary Sales, will now team up with Stephen Paduano, Elmer Salvador is now with Oliver Gan, Marvin Dumandan with Rex Goquingco, Jay Bayron with Tony Olives, Jobim Carlos with DJ Padilla, and Clyde Mondilla now paired with Jeric Hechanova.