Korean teener, Manalili top JGFP Chair’s Cup tilt

Yang Ju-young of South Korea and Vito Manalili ruled their respective classes yesterday in the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines Chairman’s Cup Match Play Challenge at Southlinks Golf Club in Las Piñas.

Yang nipped Diana Araneta, 4 and 3, for the Division I title while Manalili clipped Gabby Subido, 3 and 2, for the Division II plum.

The young Korean went 2-up at the turn, then finished the job with birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 15 in the event held in honor of JGFP chair Gerry Handog.

Yang entered the finals by beating Philippe Palanca, 2-up, in the semifinals while the 17-year-old Araneta, a new Poveda graduate, routed Joo Hyung-kim, 8 and 7.

It was all square after five holes but Manalili went 4-up as he strung up four holes starting on the ninth.  Subido took holes No. 13 and 14 but Manalili matched pars on 15 and 16 to end it.

Manalili earlier defeated Gilbert Purcia, 1-up, in the last four of the event.

Tournament sponsors: IWSI, Cleanpak Inc., IWS Cleantech Inc., Philippine Airlines, ICTSI, Philippine Golf Foundation and Inquirer Golf.