Zaragosa, Mondilla paces march of favorites

MANILA—Diminutive Ruperto Zaragosa III repulsed Alexes Nallos, 1-up, after 20 holes to advance to the round-of-16 of the 2011 Philippine Amateur  championship yesterday along with the top five seeds at Wack Wack’s East course.

The 13-year-old second seed, winner of the junior version of this event at Alabang two weeks ago, parred the second extra hole to arrange a clash with Jobim Carlos in the event presented by Pancake and SOC Land.

Top-ranked Clyde Mondilla cruised past Basti Lorenzo with a 6 and 4 victory to advance against Rodel Mangulabnan, who eliminated JP Reyes, 4 and 3.

Carlos, a national team mainstay, nipped Jet Mathay, 2 and 1 even as third-seeded King Stehmeier and No. 4 Justin Quiban also advanced with contrasting wins.

Women’s match play action starts today with top-seeded Andie Unson taking a bye.

Stehmeier posted a 3 and 2 win over Ronnie Littaua, while Quiban, another age-grouper like Mondilla and Zaragosa, needed 21 holes to dispose of Manfred Guangco and earn a showdown with John Kier Abdon.

The fifth-ranked Andres Saldana scored a 1-up victory over AR Ramos even as Matthew Manotoc showed Raymund Jaraulla the door with a birdie on the 19th hole.