The Duel 2019: Singles shootout up as North forces tie
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North’s Fidel Concepcion (left) and Michael Bibat flash the thumbs-up signs after humbling South’s Rufino Baybay and Jhonnel Ababa.
The Northerners proved better in the tougher alternate shot format event with the Keanu Jahns-Gerald Rosales and Justin Quiban-Eric Gallardo pairs, which saved the team from South’s 4-2 charge in the four-ball Wednesday, sustaining their top form to trounce the Elmer Salvador-Reymon Jaraula and Arnold Villacencio-Rene Menor tandems, 3&2, and 4&2, respectively, and remain unbeaten in the country’s Ryder Cup-style format event.
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Veteran Mars Pucay (left) and young Ira Alido deliver for Team North in foursomes after a stumble in fourball
But North missed completing a big rout as James Ryan Lam and Joenard Rates blew a 3-up lead after nine holes and lost steam at the finish, enabling Tony Lascuña and Nilo Salahog to hack out with a 2-up victory, their second straight, and salvage a key point for South.
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Happiness is winning the second time around for North’s Eric Gallardo (left) and Justin Quiban
With six points apiece in team play, the title chase comes down to individual skills with South out to exploit its edge although North has the materials to slug it out shot-for-shot and putt-for-putt with its fancied rivals in the singles tipped to go down to the last pairing.
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Gerald Rosales (left) and Keanu Jahns help each other out on the greens to help ensure their second straight victory for Team North.
As defending champion, North needs just six wins in the singles to keep the crown while South must score 6.5 points to reclaim the championship in the highlight event of the 10th season of the Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
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South’s Tony Lascuña (left) and Nilo Salahog carefully read their line of putt on their way to scoring a come-from-behind win over North’s James Ryan Lam and Joenard Rates that forced a tie at 6.
“We’re all unhappy, disappointed over their mediocre play,” rued Hong. “There’s no more strategy in singles. It’s a test of individual skills. Kanya-kanyang kayod.”
North looks to have the edge in the first face-off at 7:20 a.m. as Alido takes on Villacencio while Pucay and Lascuña brace for a duel of veterans at 7:28 a.m. to be followed by the Quiban-Rufino Bayron clash, Jahns vs Ababa, Carlos against Engino, Rosales vs Balasabas, Gallardo against Menor, Bernis vs Jay Bayron, Lam against Salvador, Rates vs Jaraula, Concepcion vs Gialon, and Bibat against Salahog.