Piccio keeps PH hopes alive

MIA Piccio survived the rash of setbacks that nearly wiped out the ICTSI-Philippine bets, pulling off a pair of tough victories to crash into the quarterfinals of the Western Women’s Golf Association National Amateur Championship in Michigan Thursday.

Piccio, one of five Filipinos who made it to the second round of the knockout phase, held off Minami Levonowich of Houston, 1-up, in the morning then won the last hole to post a 3 and 1 triumph over Samantha Swineheart in their Last 16 duel.

Swineheart, who earlier foiled Lovelynn Guioguio, 1-up, battled Piccio on even terms before the US-based ICTSI scholar took charge on the backside of the par-73 Monroe Golf and Country Club and sealed a quarterfinal duel with Courtney McKim of North Carolina.

McKim edged Vaishavi Sinha, 1-up, then ripped Emma Lavy, 4-2, to advance.

While Piccio stayed in the title hunt, Dottie Ardina and Jayvie Agojo bowed out of the race with a pair of 2 and 1 losses to Shannon Lubar and Susannah Grunden, respectively, in the round of 32.

Sarah Ababa booted out Angela Codian of Ohio, 3 and 2, in their morning clash but bowed, 3 and 2, to Hannah Collier in their Last 16 clash.

Top seed Thai Ariya Jutanugarn, meanwhile, whipped Ali Kruse, 4 and 2, and Elizabeth Tong, 5 and 4, to advance against Lubar.

The other quarterfinal pairings will pit Hannah Collier against Amy Meier and Mary Maggio against Moriya Jutanugarn.

In the consolation pool, former Philippine Ladies Open champion Cyna Rodriquez advanced to the semifinal round against Breanna Patz of Indiana.