DAVAO City – Chanelle Avaricio may be riding a wave of momentum and confidence, but things are expected to get rough and competitive when the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour shifts to the demanding South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estate starting Tuesday (Oct. 28) here.
While Avaricio’s dominant form makes her the player to beat, several contenders are eager to spoil her bid for a back-to-back title in the ICTSI South Pacific Classic, particularly local aces Florence Bisera and Mafy Singson, who are both looking to turn familiarity with the course into an advantage.
Among those hoping to regain form this week is Bisera, who is out to shake off a recent slump and rediscover the winning touch that earned her back-to-back victories earlier this season in Negros Occidental and Thailand.
The Davaoeña entered the three-leg Mindanao swing brimming with confidence but has since struggled to find consistency. At Del Monte, she opened with a 73 and couldn’t recover, posting 73-74 in the succeeding rounds to finish 10th in the 54-hole event. Her showing at Apo Golf was slightly better – carding rounds of 78-71-74 – good enough for a share of fourth with Daniella Uy, but still below her winning standards.
If her steady improvement is any indication, Bisera could be primed for a stronger run this week. More importantly, she will be playing at South Pacific, her home course, where she nailed her breakthrough LPGT victory two years ago.
The comfort of familiar greens, local crowd support and her experience navigating the layout’s rolling fairways and water hazards could be the spark Bisera needs to regain top form. Her confidence, tempered by lessons from recent stumbles, makes her one of the most intriguing contenders this week.
Equally determined is Singson, whose closing bogey-free 68 at Apo earned her runner-up honors behind Avaricio and served notice that she is rounding into championship form.
Singson’s solid long game and renewed putting confidence will be key on the par-72 layout, known for its rolling greens, well-placed bunkers and scenic creeks that demand both precision and patience. Having proven she can go low under pressure, Singson looms as a legitimate threat to Avaricio’s back-to-back title drive – especially if she sustains her closing-round rhythm from Apo.
Still, all eyes will naturally be on Avaricio, who has transformed her heartbreaking collapse at Del Monte – where she blew a five-shot lead and lost to Sarah Ababa in a sudden death – into motivation for redemption. She responded emphatically with a commanding seven-stroke victory at Apo, underscoring her resiliency and determination.
To score a repeat, however, Avaricio will need to navigate a stacked field hungry for a breakthrough, including homegrown bets Bisera, Singson and Ababa, as well as consistent contenders like Uy, Marvi Monsalve, Harmie Constantino, Tiffany Lee and Princess Superal.
Others capable of springing surprises include Gretchen Villacencio, Kayla Nocum, Velinda Castil, Rev Alcantara, Pamela Mariano, Monica Mandario, Annika Cedo, Angela Mangana, amateur Jules Gaerlan and promising junior standouts Johanna Uyking and Krista Minoza.
With redemption, home pride and rising stars all in play, the tournament promises a spirited battle for top honors – and possibly a changing of the guard in the season’s final stretch.
