Saso spearheads PH’s Pradera drive

Yuka Saso and Mikha Fortuna will anchor Team Philippines’ bid to exact revenge against Team Southeast Asia in the Pradera Verde Ladies Challenge 2 blasting off Monday at Pradera Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga.

The 16-year-old Saso and Fortuna wound up 1-2 in the just-concluded Philippine Ladies Open and if they wield the same form will play pivotal roles in the Filipinos’ bid to avenge their 10.5-19.5 loss to their counterparts from the region in last year’s edition.

Saso, who humbled the pros at Ayala Greenfield recently, did not see action that time as the Philippines got outgunned.

The Fil-Japanese and Fortuna will be supported by Harmie Constantino, Nicole Abelar, Tomi Arejola, Sofia Chabon, Bernice Olivarez-Ilas, Kristine Torralba, Kayla Nocum and 13-year-olds Annyka Cayabyab and Laurea Duque.

“The battle cry is to win the championship. We will give them a very good fight given the depth of the team this year,” said Norman Sto. Domingo, one of Team PH’s skippers.

“We have beefed up our lineup and I’m hoping the girls all play 100 percent in all three days.”

The visiting squad is composed of standouts from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.