TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite — Ateneo put on an amazing display of shotmaking, winning all but one of the first six alternate shot events and leaving its arch rival La Salle green with envy after the morning matches in the first round of the Fil-Estate Golf Ateneo-La Salle Championship Matches at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club here yesterday.
The tandem of Jeric Hechanova and Marty Ilagan underscored the Blue Eagles’ dominating performance so early in the tournament as it smothered the fancied pair of Tommy Manotoc and Abe Rosal and came away with a 3 & 2 victory.
Hechanova said their local knowledge of the tough 7,265-year Jack Nicklaus-designed layout helped them carry out the mission although the La Salle side remained confident of striking back in the last two rounds.
"Our familiarity with the course carried us through," said Hechanova, a corporate director of the Fil-Estate group of companies.
Truly, the Blue Eagles scored victories in similar fashions – via rout – as Jun Jun Plana and Mark Lopez posted a lopsided triumph over King Stehmier and JP Reyes, 6 & 5 and Iggy Clavecilla and Yoyong Velez thumped the pair of Hanson So Jr. and Francis Gaston, 4 & 3.
Also winning for Ateneo in the event, patterned after Ryder Cup and sponsored by Fil-Estate Golf and Development, Inc., Club Leisure Management Corp. Camp John Hay Manor and Manila Southwoods Manor, were Joel Opaco and Lino Retuerto, who trounced Justin Tambunting and Miko Alejandro, 4 & 3, and Pepot Inigo and Anthony Fernando, who swamped Abe Avena and Terence Macatangan, 3 & 2.
Raymund Sangil, a recent winner of the Samsung Tour’s second leg, and partner Bobby Celestino saved the day for the Green Archers although they had to struggle all morning to pull off a 1-up victory over the Bong Brobio-Bobby Ysip tandem.
Despite the shaky start, La Salle remains hopeful of its chances, "This is just first round. We still have two more days and with Sangil and Celestino’s win, sana magtuloy-tuloy na ito," said La Salle skipper Richie Garcia.
