CEBU City—Facing an old enemy in its home turf, and a third force that will come into the PAL Ladies Interclub armed to the teeth, Manila Southwoods-Masters still feels confident of extending its historic reign starting Tuesday.
“It’s still pretty strong,” SW-Masters skipper Claire Ong told the Inquirer while preparing for their official practice round Monday afternoon at Cebu Country Club, where the host squad will try to exploit its familiarity with the course and break the Carmona-based squad’s six-year stranglehold.
“But it will be tight, because Pradera is also there,” Ong added, referring to newcomer Pradera Verde, which will be backstopped by standout age-grouper Yuka Saso and up-and-coming Annyka Pineda-Cayabyab.
“They’re definitely contenders, and we have our hands full,” said Lora Roberto, one of the veterans of the SW-Masters squad that lost Pauline del Rosario to the pro ranks earlier this year and ace Abegail Arevalo who is in the United States.
Cebu Country Club has been set up to “generally fair” standards by tournament director Henry Arabelo for the country’s unofficial team golf championship.