Aw, Santiano rout foes, reach TCC Last 8

Brixton Aw of Riviera and Niko Santiano of Ayala Greenfield easily disposed of their rivals yesterday at the hazard-laden Southlinks Golf Club course in Las Piñas to complete the quarterfinal cast of the eighth Philippine Golf Foundation National Tournament of Club Champions.

Aw turned back Joel Manlutac of Beverly Place Pampanga while Santiano ousted Andrei Cornejo of Iloilo—both via 5-and-4 decisions—to secure their spots in today’s Round of 8 at the Legends of Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club in Cavite.

Gilda Medestomas, a double champion representing Riviera and Anvaya, celebrated her birthday with a 1-up win over Eden Hernandez of Eagle Ridge to lead the five players who nailed quarterfinal berths.

Also advancing were Southwoods’ 2012 winner Diane Jang, who survived a gutsy challenge from Joy Sevilla of Valley, 1-up; Jo Barredo, a 3-and-2 victor over Isa Lorenzo of Manila Golf; Maricel Amor of Royale Tagaytay, who scored a 3-and-1 win over Kim Jun-young of Camp John Hay; and 2011 winner Mela Lee, who showed the door to Arline Ward of Mimosa with a 6-and-4 demolition.

Ed Abesamis of Tagaytay Highlands bested Renato Alejandria of Ayala Greenfield, 5 and 4, to round out the quarterfinal cast in the seniors division of the event backed primarily by Champion, Petron, GG&A, Nike, Mizuno, Haier, Sta. Lucia Land and Turfgrass Management.

Matches today pit No. 8 Aw against top qualifier Gary Sales of Villamor, Santiano versus Alan Alegre of Summit Point, Rodel Mangulabnan of Royal Northwoods opposite Joseph Tambunting of Southwoods and Gerald Katigbak of Mt. Malarayat against Ricky delos Santos of Aguinaldo.

Ladies pairings feature No. 1 Rita Horan of Alabang versus Medestomas, Barredo against Jang, Matet Salivio of Aguinaldo versus Maricel Amor of Royale Tagaytay and Mela Lee of Ayala Greenfield against No. 2 Jung Hee-kyung of Highlands.

Seniors pairings: No. 8 Abesamis vs. No. 1 Arnold Duay, No. 5 Mike Ilano of Royale Tagaytay vs. No. 4 Bong Sison of Southwoods, No. 3 Gen. Remegio de Vera of Villamor vs. No. 6 Edgar Dinio of Beverly Place and No. 7 Katy Katigbak vs. No. 2 Jie Sik-oh of Orchard.