PAL Ladies Interclub on; Southwoods picked

BAGUIO—Parading what could be its most explosive lineup yet, Manila Southwoods-Masters opens its quest for a Championship Division “six-peat” Tuesday when the PAL Ladies Interclub tees off at Camp John Hay here.

With pro-bound Pauline del Rosario and seasoned internationalists Sofia Chabon and Mikhaela Fortuna leading the charge, the Carmona-based lasses are installed as the solid picks to extend their unprecedented reign.

Del Rosario, who finished second twice to Princess Superal on the ICTSI ladies pro tour recently, is also the hot pick in the individual race as SW-Masters tries to keep its mastery of Cebu Country Club.

“We feel that it’s going to be tight,” SW-Masters playing skipper Claire Ong said yesterday.

Fielding will be crucial for the teams this week as action has been spread over four days in the four-to-play, three-to-count tournament.

Sisters Irina and Junia Gabasa and Riko and Ryoko Nagai will be the main cogs of Cebu CC, which fell short last year in Bacolod.

Abby Arevalo, who will miss this year’s action because of studies in the United States, anchored SW-Masters to a final-day rally, firing 54 points to win the individual title.

Major sponsors of the 72-hole championship: Solar Entertainment Corp., Airbus, Business Mirror, Mareco Broadcasting Network, People Asia, Manila Broadcasting Corp. Other backers: Inquirer, Fonterra, Mega Fiber, Mastercard, Tanduay Distillers, Zalora.