HOW one team will surprise the other will be known beginning today when the best shotmakers from Ateneo and La Salle square off at the start of the highly anticipated La Salle-Ateneo Match Play 2007 at Tagaytay Midlands.
“Our friends in the other side are in for a big surprise,” said Ateneo skipper Teboy Javier on the eve of the Ryder Cup-style event, a rivalry so intense that both schools had to tap the best talents in their respective camps to ensure victory. Six foursome and six four-ball matches are on tap in the first two rounds of the three-day event, which both teams want to dominate for the much-needed momentum going into the crucial singles matches Friday.
The event, organized and hosted by Belle Corp. and Tagaytay Highlands in cooperation with the De La Salle Alumni Association Golf Club and the Ateneo Golf Foundation, officially kicked off last night with the parade of teams followed by the traditional hitting of the ceremonial drive.
After losing in the inaugural staging of the event in 2004 at Sherwood Hills, the Archers took the next two duels at Camp John Hay in Baguio in 2005 and back at Sherwood last year, giving them the impetus and confidence.
“We’ll definitely go for a third straight win,” said Freddie Mendoza, team captain of La Salle. Mendoza and Javier remain evasive when asked who will be matched up with in the first round with both skippers hoping to startle each other with their combinations, which in turn they hope will deliver.
Tommy Manotoc, Francis Gaston, Miko Alejandro, Justin Tambunting, Jenz Teczon and Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Anya Tanpinco are bannering La Salle’s squad along with King Stehmeier, JP Reyes, Marco Olives, Justin Limjap, Miko Yee, Oliver Gan, Sammy Sy, Chucky Hong, Raffy Garcia, Chris Infante, Chepe Dulay, Ronnie Littua, Kim Hong, Yayi Escuadro, Bobby Celestino, Bones Floro, Migs Garcia and Augie Palisoc.
Ateneo is pinning its hopes on reigning national amateur champion Anthony Fernando, Jeric Hechanova, Iggy Clavecilla, Junjun Plana, Marcel Puyat and Jingy Tuason with support to come from Gab Atienza, Joel Bernaldez, Manoling Chan, Leana Farrales, Bayani Garcia, John Gobing, Katrina Gonzales, Lovelyn Guioguio, Marty Ilagan, Bobby Iñigo, Pepot Iñigo, Jovi Neri, Mikey Ozaeta, Don Padilla, Lino Retuerto, Mark Rivera, Benjie Sarmiento and Yoyong Velez.
Manila Standard - December 19, 2007
