PAL Ladies Interclub tees off; S’woods eyes ‘3-peat’

MANILA Southwoods-Masters, a team with a merry mix of young ones and veterans, guns for an unprecedented “three-peat” in the Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub beginning today at the up-and-down Rancho Palos Verdes layout in Davao.

Bannered by young champions like Mia Legaspi, Annika Cedo and Abegail Arevalo, the Southwoods-Masters squad will come into the four-day tournament confident of pulling off the historic feat, especially with old rival Del Monte opting to sit it out this year.

Beachie Abiera will again skipper the Carmona, Cavite-based squad in the four-to-play, three-to-count event where Cebu Country Club looms as the top challenger in the absence of the Bukidnon ladies.

“I believe we can do a ‘three-peat.’ I think we have a competitive team which is again a mix of young and veterans,” said Abiera. “With Del Monte out, Cebu might challenge us. But we’re ready.”

Legaspi is the spearhead of the squad with Lora Roberto, Katrina Gonzales, Claire Ong and Angela Legaspi completing the roster.

Meanwhile, PAL Davao’s Ed Ramos led yesterday’s traditional hitting of the ceremonial drive kicking off the 72-hole championship put up by Philippine Airlines.

Cebu is the team to beat in the Founders Division with 2011 winner Alabang expected to bounce back. Host Palos Verdes sets out to reclaim the Friendship title it won two years ago but lost to Apo Golf in Iloilo last year.

Southwoods-Legends, the 2011 champion, and last year’s winner Tagaytay Highlands, meanwhile, are tipped to fight it out closely for the Sportswriters Division crown.

The event’s backers: San Miguel Brewery Inc., Purefoods, Magnolia Healthy Refreshments, Ginebra San Miguel, Magnolia Purewater, San Mig Coffee, Magnolia Ice Cream and San Mig Purefoods and supported by Merck Inc. Philippines and Diamond Hotel.