Top qualifier Quiban draws Manotoc

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Justin Quiban drew a tough opening foe in Gabriel Manotoc in the first round of the Philippine Amateur Match Play Championship after topping the classification phase Tuesday with a one-under-par 71 at the well-manicured Palmer course of the Orchard here.

Manotoc was the surprise 32nd placer after a closing 87 marred by a quadruple-bogey 9, sealing one of the more interesting opening matches in the event backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot and Pacsports as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Rupert Zaragosa, the 2011 champion, was second after a 70 for 144, four behind Quiban, and drew obscure Ira Alido for a place in the last 16.

Bianca Pagdanganan and Daniela Uy finished 1-2 in women’s play and both drew byes, with Pamela Mariano, the third seed, clashing with Korean expatriate Yang Ju-young.

Also stirring a lot of interest is the Raymart Tolentino-Eddie Bagtas match-up where youth slugs it out with a ton of experience in the 7:48 a.m. flight teeing off from hole No. 1. Antonio Asistio, returning after an assassin’s attempt on his life two years ago, was third after a 75-149.

He will play Meynard Ko. Junior Amateur champ Gen Nagai of Japan slugs it out with Carlo Gatmaytan.