Ramos keeps crown; Malixi rules distaff side

MANILA,Philippines — Sean Ramos underscored his readiness to help anchor the national team’s gold medal drive in next month’s SEA Games as he rallied from four strokes down to beat Jonar Austria by two with a 73 and clinch the Elite men’s crown for the second straight year in the NGAP Northern Luzon Regional Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac yesterday.

Ramos’ victory augured well for his buildup for the SEAG, also set at Luisita, with Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus and Luis Castro as the other members of the team.

As second round leader AK MD Syakir of Brunei cracked under pressure and skied to an 81 on 40-41, the Filipino bets took over and slugged it out in a spirited backside duel with Ramos emerging on top again with clutch pars for a 37-36 card and a 54-hole total of 222 that included a 73 and 76.

Austria settled for second at 224 while Jacob Rolida ran out of holes in his comeback bid that featured two birdies in the last six holes, finishing with the tournament-best 71 card to snatch third place at 225 in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Cignal and Metro Pacific Investments and serving as part of PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.

Rianne Malixi likewise charged back to snare the Elite women’s title, edging Sophia Blanco in a playoff after the two finished tied at 227 after a 75 and 79, respectively.

It was Malixi’s third big victory in the season about to end as the rising star also ruled the Philippine Junior Amateur Open and the Phl Amateur Open Match Play crowns early in the season.

Last year’s winner Kim Seo Yun of Korea failed to mount a rally and hobbled with a 78 for third at 231 while Laurea Duque wound up fourth at 233 after an 82 and Kayla Nocum placed fifth at 237 after an 81.