Quintanilla starts chase of Match Play crown with 72

MANILA, Philippines — Newly minted Singapore Amateur Open champion Grace Quintanilla made her return to local action in a big way, shooting a level-par 72 in the first of two qualifying rounds for the NGAP’s National Match Play Championship at majestic Luisita in Tarlac yesterday.

The 19-year-old Quintanilla shook off some rust with her one-birdie, one-bogey effort at the tree-lined layout north of Manila, having been without tournament play since July 18 when she beat Hong Kong-China’s Xizihan Wang in a marathon five-hole playoff at the Bukit layout in Singapore.

Ally Gaccion, the other half of the Philippine Team there, is also playing, and is setting the pace together with Mona Sarines after 71s, even as Rolando Bregente has a hold of top spot in men’s play after opening up with a 67 to lead double-seeking Jet Hernandez by a shot.

Only eight ladies will advance to the knockout stages slated to begin Thursday, while the top 16 men will march on.

Lisa Sarines, who openly said that this tournament carries more weight on her preference to win after winning the Strokeplay Championship last week at Pradera Verde, is on a collision course with Quintanilla after shooting a 74 for No. 6, tied with Jules Gaerlan.

Nicole Gan is occupying No. 4 after a 73, with Brittany Tamayo shooting a 75.