Laurel: University of the Philippines student Joshua Buenaventura eyes back-to-back victories in both the individual and team categories in Round 2 of the ICTSI Intercollegiate Golf Tour at the Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas. The 18-hole tournament, designed to showcase elite collegiate talent and independent entries, resumes Sunday at the challenging Greg Norman-designed course carved into the Grand Taal mountain ridges, offering a scenic view of Taal Volcano and Lake.
According to Philippines News Agency, Buenaventura and teammates Miggy Roque and Emilio Carpio led UP-1 to the team title victory in the kickoff leg at the Royal Northwoods in Bulacan on July 18. "Hopefully, we'll do even better in the next round. We have high expectations, and with more training, we're aiming for another championship," Buenaventura said on Saturday. He bagged the individual title after carding a 69 to beat La Salle-1's Zachary Castro by two shots. Ateneo-2's Ricardo Joson placed third with a 73.
La Salle and Ateneo are expected to come back after finishing second and third, respectively. Castro, Jose Lorenzo Flores, and Miguel Fusilero will banner La Salle-1, while Joson will spearhead Ateneo-2 alongside Matthew Mendoza and Juan Esca±o Jr. in the three-to-play, two-to-count format. The other contenders are College of St. Benilde (CSB) - 1's Sean Granada, La Salle's-2 Arvin Ong, Ateneo-1 Emilio Curran, UST-2 Marc Velasco, La Salle-3 Ferdinand Lagman, La Salle-2 Lucas Aldeguer, and CSB-1's David Guangko.
UP, La Salle, Ateneo, CSB, and Mapua are fielding three teams each in the series, while Enderun Colleges is bannered by Kyle Raquino, Thomas Shim, and Matthew Viray. Meanwhile, Round 2 of the women's division will be held at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna on Aug. 9. Ranking points are awarded to the Top 8 teams and individuals in each leg: 15, 12, and 10 for the top three; followed by 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 for those placing fourth to eighth.
The best two results from the four-leg series will be tallied, with the top three teams and top three individuals, including independents, advancing to the Grand Finals to be held also at Splendido Taal on Sept. 23-25.
