Alido player to watch at Eagle Ridge

MANILA, Philippines — The men and women of the tour set out for the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge today at the Aoki course, hoping to shrug off any continuing effects of the deadly pandemic on the Philippine Golf Tour.

But nobody comes into the PGT event with as much confidence and poise as the young Ira Alido, who dominated the elite field for his breakthrough win at Riviera last December.

“I think my advantage is I’m playing with a high level of confidence,” said Alido, still wary of the field beefed up by the presence of three Del Monte aces, who missed the Tour’s return from an eight-month hiatus at Riviera due to quarantine restrictions.

Clyde Mondilla and Frankie Miñoza, former Philippine Open champions, and Reymon Jaraula, who annexed his first PGT win at Pueblo de Oro in 2019, join the chase for top honors in the P2 million event which also features the likes of Angelo Que and Miguel Tabuena, also former Phl Open titlists, and multi-titled Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Jobim Carlos, Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador along with young guns Justin Quiban, James Ryan Lam, Fidel Concepcion and Keanu Jahns.

Focus also falls on the LPGT title chase with Princess Superal and Pauline del Rosario bracing for another face-off and the likes of debuting pro Harmie Constantino, Daniella Uy, Chanelle Avaricio, Marvi Monsalve, Gretchen Villacencio, Pamela Mariano, Sunshine Baraquiel and former three-time Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodrigiuez raring to fuel their respective bids in the 54-hole championship coming off a three-month break.

“We’re all a bit rusty but it’s nice to be playing at home again,” said Tabuena.