MANILA, Philippines — Rupert Zaragosa and Daniela Uy open their respective bids for national title doubles Tuesday when the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Match Play championship tees off at the well-manicured Alabang layout.
After winning the men’s and women’s titles in the PH Open match play two weeks ago, Zaragosa and Uy will start as favorites in the event presented by MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.
The field plays an 18-stroke qualifying event. Only the top 32 boys and top 16 girls will advance to the match play proper where both Zaragosa and Uy will be up against formidable opposition.
Park Min-ung, the Korean expat, and Gen Nagai, the Japanese national who calls Cebu home, lost to Zaragosa in the Open.
Uy will have to contend with Princess Superal if she wants to achieve a first in her young career.
Superal, the spearhead of the rock-solid ICTSI squad, is entered in the event backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot and Pacsports and looms as one of the players to beat in the girls’ division.
“There are a lot of good players out there and it won’t be an easy tournament,” Zaragosa said.