South opens huge lead going into singles

The star-studded South side struck hardest in the afternoon foursomes yesterday, sweeping  the last four matches to take a solid 10-6 lead over the North going into today’s centerpiece 12 singles matches of The Duel at Alabang Country Club.

The crack pair of Juvic Pagunsan and Antonio Lascuña spearheaded the last two teams for the South with Rufino Bayron and Clyde Mondilla, respectively, and came up with lopsided triumphs.

Pagunsan-Bayron won three straight holes from No. 15 for a 3 & 1 rout of Carl Santos-Ocampo and Edward Reyes after Lascuña and Mondilla had outclassed the Randy Garalde-Ryan Lam combine, 4 & 3.

Jay Bayron and Ferdie Aunzo took a 2-up win over Miguel Tabuena and Mars Pucay, while Charles Hong and Jonel Ababa posted a 3 & 1 victory over Michael Bibat and Jun Bernis to complete the unexpected romp.

Day 1 ended in a 4-all tie and it was 6-all after the first foursomes before the Southerners put some distance on the North in the Ryder Cup-style event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and backed by KIA, Ping, Nike Golf, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, Pacsports, Callaway, Cleveland, FootJoy, Srixon, Titleist, Empire Golf and Sports Shop and Sharp.

South’s domination yesterday actually reversed the scenario compared to last year, when the Southerners needed a big final day charge to wipe out a 7-9 deficit going into the singles.

The South needs just 4.5 points today—or draws in nine matches to keep the championship for the second straight year.