Golf: The South rises past the North in first-ever "Duel"

Alabang—Team South showed why it was the clear favorite to win, as it trumped Team North in the first-ever "The Duel," a unique North vs South meet, at the Alabang Country Club.                  Trailing by four, 8-4, after the morning best ball matches in the second round, the South golfers etched a 3 and 1 win over Team North at the resumption of the rain-delayed afternoon round, then flourished by winning 9 of 12 singles matches and wound up with a 16-12 win in the inaugural format, patterned after the US Ryder Cup.                  “It was a huge success.  The games were really fantastic and exciting since it’s a match play competition.  We hope to continue this as part of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour,” said Colo Ventosa, head of the organizing committee Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.                  South’s Elmer Salvador and Antonio Lascuna orchestrated a 5 and 4, respectively, against North’s Mars Pucay and Artemio Murakami. Also big for the South were the triumphs of Elmer Saban, Anthony Fernando, Mhark Fernando, in that order, over Randy Garalde (2&1), Gene Bondoc (3&1) and Benjie Magada (3&2). “The Duel was all for the spirit of fun.  Everyone enjoyed,” Hong said.                  In contrast, the North squad accounted for three successes.  The tall Mike Bibat defeated his much shorter opponent, Jhonel Ababa (2&1); Joenard Rates beat Richard Sinfuego (2&1); and Angelo Que beat Cassius Casas (2&1).                  “I was hoping to get enough points [in the singles] to win it. But we’ll get the title next year,” vowed North team captain Cookie La’O. - AMD, GMA News