Visiting national team standout Luigi Paolo Wong fired 52 Molave points to emerge the overall champion in the 22nd Nanoy Ilusorio Cup held at the Baguio Country Club to end 2021 with a competitive note.
The 21-year-old Wong, currently the best Ibaloy golfer in his generation, had two-over par 61 to clinch his third title in one of the prestigious local golf tournaments held every Dec. 30 to honor the founder of the only five-star resort in north Luzon.
A member of the Philippine Amateur Golf Team, Wong is taking a short break with his family from his schooling at San Jose State University in the United States, where he is a member of the SJSU Spartans.
Wong said he is still unsure if he could join the national squad who will represent the Philippines in the 2022 Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games, as he will be back in the U.S. during the tryouts.
Philex Mines top honcho Euls Austin also shared the limelight during the tournament when he emerged as the overall winner in the seniors’ class with 52 Molave points while Iya Fianza had a net of 74 to rule the ladies’ division.
The other champions were Paolo Medina in class B and Miggy So Hu in class C.
In the seniors’ division, Goody Ignacio had 45 points to win class A while Regino Gamboa had 37 for class B title while Marlon Diokno had 31 for the class C.
In the ladies’ division, the winners were Beth Patterson for class A, Wells Gala for class B, and Letty Baquilar for class C.
In the guests’ division, the winners were Edwin Abesamis for class A, Jose Embang for class B, and Toto Garcia for class C.
The special awardees were Eric Ilagan for the nearest to the pin plum, Edwin Ganga for the longest drive at 321 yards at hole three, and Iya Umali for the golf course inspector trophy. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 24, 2024
