Oh sends Avena out of NTCC at Midlands

Korean expat Oh Jie-sik of Eagle Ridge used an impeccable short game to oust seniors top seed Abe Avena of Mt. Malarayat in Thursday’s quarterfinals at Tagaytay Midlands—the biggest upset so far in the Philippine Golf Foundation National Tournament of Club Champions (NTCC).

Oh advanced to the semifinals after grinding out numerous pars against top stroke play qualifier Avena for a 3&2 victory that set him up for a meeting with Terry McDonald of Sta. Elena, who edged Arsenic Laurel of Tagaytay Highlands 1-up.

JP Reyes of Sta. Elena/Manila Golf and Claire Ong of Manila Southwoods, the men’s and ladies’ top seeds, fashioned contrasting wins to earn their spots in the Final Four at Splendido Taal on Friday.

While Ong quickly dispatched Kim Young-ok 8&7, Reyes was pushed to the limit by Aaron Dimabuyu of South Forbes before earning a 2-up win.

No. 2 seed Allan Alegre, a 4&3 winner over Raci Razon of Alta Vista, will meet Wack Wack’s Rene Chua, who ousted Sengyo Kato of Alabang 2&1, in the other seniors’ semifinal tiff.

Earning a shot at Reyes was Riviera’s Brixton Aw, who parlayed a 2-under card to rout Manfred Guangko of Eagle Ridge. The other men’s semifinal match will feature Rodel Mangulabnan of Forest Hills and Orchard’s King Stehmeier who beat Mt. Malarayat’s Gerald Katigbak (5&3) and Tagaytay Midland’s RJ Rizada (1-up), respectively.

Leana Carmona also made it to the ladies’ semifinals for the third time after beating Isa Lorenzo of Manila Golf, 4&3. She will face Alabang’s Rita Robina.

Ong takes on Karen Buenaventura of Tagaytay Midlands, who ended Ayala Greenfields bet Diana Kurangil’s bid with a 2&1 win.