Gao siblings advance in Masters match play
The Gao siblings are turning the Philippine Junior Golf Foundation Masters match play national finals into a family show.
Wei Wei and Wei Fang Gao cruised to easy wins, while brother Wei Yi stunned his top-seeded foe at Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa.
Seeing action in the boys’ Class B (13-14 years), Wei Wei whipped Aaron Anasco, 9 and 8, to reach the last four against Nikolo Gatmaytan, before Wei Fang demolished Marie Aparilla, 8 and 7, in girls’ Class D (9-10 years) to advance against Annyka Cayabyab.
Wei Yu had a tougher time in the boys’ Class C (11-12), but pulled through against top seed Aidric Chan, 1-up, to set up a semifinal duel with Luigi Wong, the fourth seed, who prevailed over Carl Corpus, 1-up.
John Catalan, who topped the classification phase of the boys’ Class A event, bested Janzen Morilla, 4 and 3, to advance against Justin Quiban, who routed Julius Neri, 3 and 2.
In the lower half of the bracket, Miguel Shah edged sixth seed Jelbert Gamolo, 1-up. Shah will meet No. 2 seed Harvey Sytiongsa, who trounced Carlos Packing, 4 and 3.
Pamela Mariano, who topped the classification round in the girls’ Class A, will meet Gabrielle Marie Crystal in the semifinals today. Crystal bested Rhea Mae Lingamen, 6 and 5. Ericka Lim crushed Rev Alcantara, 7 and 6, to set up a duel with No. 2 Daniella Uy.
Jolo Magcalayo, Franco Rivera, Rolando Brigente Jr. and Josh Jorge barged into the boys’ Class D semifinals while Ira Alido and Russell Bautista made it in boys’ Class C.
Laia Barro and Mikaela Arroyo will tangle in the girls’ Class D semifinal. The granddaughter of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ousted Andrea Fiona Bajao on the 19th hole.
