Sales, Barredo reach NTCC finals; Sison up

Gary Sales and Jo Barredo claimed their finals spots but Villamor’s bid for a possible title sweep was derailed early by Korean Oh Jie-sik of Orchard in Friday’s semifinals of the Philippine Golf Foundation National Tournament of Club Champions at the Palmer course of Orchard GCC in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The top-seeded Sales, an ex-pro who operates golf stores, pounced on the early struggles of Manila Southwoods’ Joseph Tambunting to cruise to a 4-and-3 win and set up a finals clash with best friend Ricky delos Santos of Aguinaldo for the men’s division crown today at the Sta. Elena course in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Delos Santos beat back the challenge of Niko Santiano of Orchard by winning a couple of holes, including the 14th with a big eagle.

Barredo ousted ladies top seed Rita Horan of Alabang, 1-up. Already 3-up after the 15th, Barredo lost two consecutive holes but escaped with the win when Horan, an Indonesian expatriate, bogeyed the final hole.

It will be a battle of the underdogs for the ladies title after Maricel Amor of Royale Tagaytay shocked No. 2 seed Jung Hee-kyung of Tagaytay Highlands in a match that reached the 20th hole. Amor banked on a lucky break when a skulled pitch hit the pin and settled to within tap-in distance for the winning par.

“I just tried to stay patient all week and it’s what got me to the finals,” said Barredo.

Oh will dispute the seniors division plum with Bong Sison, the former administrator of the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga who represents Southwoods.

Oh rallied from three down to beat Gen. Remegio de Vera of Villamor, 2 and 1 while Sison stunned No. 1 Arnold Duay of Valley, 3 and 2.

Other sponsors: Champion, Petron, Haier, GG&A ClubShares, Nike, Mizuno, TaylorMade and Sta. Lucia Land. Hole-in-one sponsor: Texas Eagle/Turf Co.