Harvey Sytiongsa hacked out a shock reversal over top seed Jacob Rolida then edged Masaichi Otake in an extended duel to seal a title duel with third seed Rolando Pila in the fourth MVPSF Visayas Regional Match Play Championships at Cebu Country Club yesterday.
The eighth-ranked Sytiongsa pulled through in a roller-coaster clash with Rolida in morning quarterfinals, winning two of the last three holes for a 2-up victory. The CCC bet then survived a late meltdown in an afternoon clash with Otake to snatch a victory on the 19th hole and barge into the finals of the serving as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.
Sytiongsa actually went 2-up against Otake with two holes to play in regulation but bogeyed them, enabling the latter to extend the match. But the former recovered and toughened up in the playoff, scoring a par while the latter ended up with a bogey as Sytiongsa sealed a final clash with his fellow club bet.
Pila, a caddie at CCC, dominated Martin Mendoza in the quarters and came away with a 3&2 win then used his familiarity with the tight layout to outfox the fancied Chan at the backside in their semis clash, coming up with clutch birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to carve out a 2-up triumph.
Sytiongsa and Pila dispute the crown in a marathon 36-hole finale with top seed Junia Gabasa and No. 2 Pamela Mariano likewise clashing for the ladies crown, also over 36 holes, in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Group, Cignal and Metro Pacific and hosted by CCC.
Gabasa routed Ashley Llena, 9&8, in the semis while Mariano blasted Marie Suelo, 8&6, in the quarters then held off Grace Quintanilla, 1-up, to earn a crack at the crown.
Chan and Otake tangle for third place over 18 holes with Llena and Quintanilla also disputing the bronze in ladies play of the event which also features the Mid-Amateur Open division.
