PAL Interclub Ladies

MANILA Southwoods-Masters closed out with 146 points yesterday and completed its dominance of the Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub by becoming the first squad to win the event three straight years.

Miya Legaspi fired a one-over-par 73 worth 53 points and Annika Cedo and Missy Legaspi contributed 47 and 46 points, respectively as the Carmona-based crew tallied 592 for a 22-point win over Cebu Country Club  at Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao.

With a strong quartet spearheaded by Abegail Arevalo in the first two days, SW-Masters established a 20-point lead in the first two rounds with Miya Legaspi and Co. bloating this to 22 after a third day 147.

And that was simply too much to overhaul for the Cebuanos  as they could do no better than turn in a matching 146 to become the tournament’s latest bridesmaids after Del Monte in the previous two years.

“It was nice to play without feeling any pressure at all. But we did not want to celebrate early,” said skipper Beachie Abiera, who didn’t count for the second straight day with a 42.

“I just told the girls to be cautious and play steady. Everyone is happy to get our three-peat,” Abiera said.

Arevalo, a 14-year-old daughter of teaching pro Tony Arevalo, went on to win the individual championship after amassing 106 points in the first two days.

Kim Hong, Abiera’s Cebu CC counterpart, pooled 55 points but got little help from Stephanie Olea, who fired 47, and Jyra Wong, who contributed 44. Ryoko Nagai’s 31 failed to count for Cebu.

“We’ll be back next year. As to whether we’ll field in the same nucleus, it will be a surprise,” said Cebu CC’s Jeric Hechanova.

Cebu CC, which is the men’s champion for the past two years, also fielded in 12-year-old Junia Gabasa, 16-year-old Alyeska Yunam, and 14-year-old Louise Kaye Go in Davao.

Alabang I coasted to a 59-point win over Southwoods-Legends in the Founders Division with a 528 total after a 125 while Apo I retained the Sportswriters Division crown. Musong R. Castillo