RUPERT Zaragosa fired a one-under-par 71, and partner JP De Claro salvaged a 74 for 145 in aggregate play yesterday as the tandem came from behind to win the men’s title of the Meralco National Doubles Amateur (Closed) Championship at Wack Wack’s West Course.
Zaragosa-De Claro was steady on a pressure-packed day as the pair overhauled a three-stroke overnight deficit to win by four shots over erstwhile leader AR Ramos and Miggy Yee for the centerpiece title of the event sponsored by Meralco and organized by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Zaragosa-De Claro tallied a 54-hole 283 counting 69s in the two-ball and foursome, even as Ramos-Yee closed out with 76s for 287.
Jobim Carlos and Jonar Austria never got it going and finished third after returning a 76 and 77, respectively, for a 289 total.
Carlos, a member of the University of San Francisco squad in the US NCAA, and Austria started the day just one shot behind Ramos-Yee.
Gabriel Manotoc carded a 74 and JR Gonzales, who was half of the winning tandem last year together with Carlos, closed with a 75 for 149, good for fourth place at 291.
Kristoffer Arevalo had a 72 and Raymart Tolentino added a 76 for 148 and a 295 total, giving the pair a whopping 16-shot victory in Group II over Paolo Uy and Patrick Uy.
The Uys tallied 163 for the day on the 78 of Paolo and the 85 of Patrick for 311.
Meanwhile, Princess Superal fired a flawless 67 and powered her tandem with Daniella Uy to 141, completing a rally from seven shots overnight and a two-stroke win over Felicia Medalla-Mia Legaspi in the women’s division.
Superal canned four birdies over the final nine and Uy carded a 74 as the duo tallied 292 in the event backed by Pancake House, Titleist by Empire Golf, Pacsports and Golf Depot.
Legaspi returned a level 72 and Medalla had a 76 for 148 and 294 to finish second over second-day leaders Sam Martirez, who ballooned to an 80, and Marvi Monsalve, who closed out with a 79 a 159 and 303 overall. Musong R. Castillo