Guioguio nails maiden win in DHL golfest

CANLUBANG, Laguna — Lovelyn Guioguio overcame two late bogeys in regulation and survived Andrea Unson’s late surge to nail her inaugural title in the WWW Express-DHL National Golf Championships at the Canlubang Golf Club on Friday. The 23-year-old Guioguio, a petite power-hitter from Bukidnon, shot an even 216 total after grinding out a one-over-par 73 at the Cangolf’s tough North course. Unson closed with a one-under 71 to wind up with a 218 in the 54-hole event conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP). Guioguio took control in the second day when she seized the lead from Sarah Ababa. In the final round, she was lucky to escape with the win. At worst, it could have resulted in a playoff with Unson, the recent low amateur winner in The Country Club Invitational at the nearby TCC course. "I'm so happy to win here. It was a good thing I built enough of a cushion that practically crushed those bogeys," said Guioguio, who finished only seventh in the 48th Southern Ladies in Murcia, Bacolod last week. National team coach Bong Lopez was proud of Guioguio’s successful stint. He feels that this year, his ward will be peaking in form. "She puts her heart into practice every time. That hard work was evident today." Chihiro Ikeda, winner of the last three editions of the Cangolf-hosted event, failed to get her game going and struggled to finish third at 219 after a 75. Sarah Ababa, the erstwhile pursuer, ballooned to a 77 and tumbled down to fourth at 221, while Jayvie Agojo placed fifth with a 222 after a 72. Reigning national champion Irina Gabasa wound up sixth with a 223 after a 72 followed by Kim Bo Ah, who skied to a 78 and a 226, and Daniela Uy and Dottie Ardina, who both had a 228 after a 75 and 77, respectively. Korean Wang Jeung-hun scored an even 72 to win the men’s side despite the sizzling six-under 66 of Clyde Mondilla in the final round. Wang had an aggregate 270 while Mondilla finished with 274. Jobim Carlos, whom Wang beat to claim the Cangolf Am plum, rallied with a 68 and salvaged third place with a 280, while Zanieboy Gialon matched par 72 and settled for fourth at 282. Gregory Foo shot a 69 to snatch fifth place at 285 while Dino Villanueva and Jerson Balasabas finished tied for sixth at 286 after a pair of 71s. Dante Becierra and TCC’s Carl Ocampo shared eighth place at 288 after a 71 and 76, respectively, while Miguel Tabuena carded a 75 and wound up tied for 10th with Keane Jahns, who had a 73, at 289. – Adrian Flores, JVP, KY, GMA News