Pradera finally lets up, triumphs anyway

CEBU—Pradera Verde lost a round for the first time in the PAL Ladies Interclub on Friday, but it was hardly enough to put a dent on what had been a clinical, overpowering display of force at Cebu Country Club here.

The Lubao-based squad cruised to a closing 149 built around the three-over-par 75 worth 53 points of Annyka Pineda-Cayabyab as Pradera authoritatively unseated Manila Southwoods-Masters.
Nicole Abelar assembled 50, Tomita Arejola accounted for 46 and Pradera threw away the 45 of Kyla Nocum to tally a 72-hole 638 that was boosted by record-setting performances in the first two rounds.

Coach Norman Sto. Domingo assembled this team less than three weeks ago, first getting the nod of sensational 16-year-old Yuka Saso before handpicking a solid support cast that also has Philippine Team mainstay Harmie Constantino.

Saso shot a 67 in the opening round on Tuesday and set the tables up for the rout, as Pradera cracked par in the first two rounds—a record—before tallying a 36-hole 331 and putting the tournament to bed that early with a 34-point lead.

“I’ll play again for two more years before turning pro,” Saso said after running away with the individual title, as Pradera will surely force others to scramble to come up with lineups that could contend in the future.

Sofia Chabon shot a 53, Mika Fortuna a 50 and Sunshine Baraquiel 49 for SW-Masters’ 152. It was the only round that Pradera lost as the Carmona-based squad checked in with a 595 total.

Cebu CC returned 141 for 563 and third spot.