The annual La Salle-Ateneo golf duel was touted to be a battle among men. Chiefly, the Green Archers versus the Blue Eagles.
In the end, however, it was women power which spelled the difference for La Salle. The Lady Archers swept their counterparts giving La Salle a 120-95 victory, a three-year romp and permanent possession of the Ambassador Valdes Cup recently. La Salle, speảrheaded by Lora Roberto’s low-gross 73, took all 14 points disputed in the ladies division, swaying the balance for the Archers in the three-day showdown held at Canlubang's north and south courses and Manila Golf.
National ladies titlist Heidi Chua was not in her best form, but still complemented Roberto's efforts. Anya Tanpinco also contributed to La Salle's cause. Of course, the Archers also did their part as they bested the Eagles in five of the seven divisions contested. The most decisive, of course, was the 17-6 blowout posted by their seniors at Manila Golf. Sitong Mesina copped low gross honors with a two-under 70 even as Alex Montelibano (60-64 years) and Alex Prieto (65 above) ruled their respective divisions. La Salle, which finally pulled off the three-peat after two close misses, produced five low gross champions and 14 division winners in various age-groups. Joining Mesina and Roberto in the victory podium were Bong de Guzman (50-59), Abe Rosal (40-49) and Raymund Sangil (20-29). Ateneo went home with two low grosstrophies, courtesy of JunJun Plana (30-39) and Anthony Fernando, and six division titles. La Salle also ruled the 20-29 years (24-17), 30-39 (22-19) and 40-49 class (2318) at Canlubang.
Ateneo clinched the 19-below age-group (13-1) behind Anthony Fernando and Gabriel Atienza and the 50-59 (22-19) despite the gross 70s of La Salle stalwarts De Guzman, Francis Gaston and Tommy Manotoc. The format gaved five points to a low gross winner, five to a net winner using the Modified Blind Callaway system, three to the runner-up and one to the third placer. Ferdie Atendido and Henry Atayde served as co-chair for La Salle while Jinggy Tuason was chair for Ateneo in this year's duel which lured 551 alumni and students as well as affiliates of both schools. There should have been a Ryder Cup version of the dual meet, but it had to be canceled due to lack of preparations. Organizers, however, are bent on pushing through with the event late this year at Camp John Hay. For now, however, the Green Archers are savoring their success.
The Ambassador Valdes Cup is for them to keep and the Blue Eagles could only hope that his family is willing to donate another trophy for next year's meet. Unless, they beef up their ladies ranks, however, the Eagles' flight is likely to be still within reach of the Archers' arrows. The low gross and division champions: Seniors: Sitong Mesina (low gross), Alex Montelibano (60-64), Alex Prieto (65&above) - - 50-59 yrs: Bong de Guzman (low gross), Francis Gaston (Class A), Steve Gan (Class B), Greg Cancio Jr. (Class C), Gerry Guerrero (Class D). 40-49 yrs: Abe Rosal (low gross), Mari Hechanova (Class A), Manny Santander (Class B), Nathaniel Siongco (Class C), Sandy Syjuco (Class D) - . 30-39 yrs: JunJun Plana (low gross), Paul Salvador (Class A), Sonny Bitong (Class B), Panch Gillego (Class C), Rico Uy (Class D) - 20-29 yrs: Raymund Sangil (low gross), Chucky Reyes (Class A), John Gobing (Class B), Marc Tagle (Class C), Joey Ansiano (Class D) Ladies: Lora Roberto (low gross); Anya Tanpinco (low net) - 19-below: Anthony Fernando (low gross); Gabriel Atienza (low net).
