Avaricio storms ahead with solid 68, braces for Alcantara charge
DAVAO CITY – Chanelle Avaricio turned in a bogey-free four-under 68 to seize a one-stroke lead over a surging Rev Alcantara in the opening round of the ICTSI South Pacific Classic on Tuesday, setting the stage for a potentially explosive second-round battle at the South Pacific Golf Club here.
Avaricio looked in complete control with a steady all-around game, then broke away from a crowded leaderboard with clutch birdies on Nos. 11 and 12. Her flawless round put her in prime position to chase a third Ladies Philippine Golf Tour victory this season, but Alcantara's spectacular finish ensured that the race was far from settled.
After keeping pace with Martina Miñoza through the early stages, Avaricio pulled clear with consecutive birdies to move to four-under and establish the early advantage. She carried the momentum of her recent triumph at Summit Point, where she edged Yvon Bisera by one stroke last month, into a campaign that could yet yield an even bigger prize.
The multi-titled campaigner had earlier conquered the demanding Pinewoods leg before competing on the China Tour, which forced her to skip last week's tournament at Pueblo de Oro. Her commanding start on her return underscored both her readiness and her determination to strengthen her bid for the Order of Merit crown.
Currently fifth in the season-long standings, Avaricio remains within striking distance with two legs left, including this week's stop. But with the race for the coveted title tightening, she needs a strong finish – potentially a sweep of the remaining tournaments – to mount a serious challenge for the season's top honor.
Standing in her way is an equally determined Alcantara, who turned a shaky start into a statement round with a blistering back-nine charge. After making the turn at 38, Alcantara caught fire with five birdies over her final nine holes to card a 69, putting herself firmly in contention for what would be a breakthrough moment in her recent campaign.
Pamela Mariano opened with a 70, while Miñoza slipped out of the immediate chase after closing with consecutive bogeys from No. 8 for a 71.
Bisera, who captured her maiden LPGT victory at this very course in 2023, carded four birdies but gave back an equal number of strokes to settle for a 72 alongside Tiffany Lee, who arrived with confidence after beating Bisera by two shots at Pueblo de Oro to end a two-year title drought.
Kayla Nocum also dropped a late stroke to miss a share of fourth, joining Bisera and Lee in the tie at fifth.
Daniella Uy, Gretchen Villacencio and defending champion Sarah Ababa all struggled to opening 73s, but remain within reach of the leaders with two rounds still to play.
With Avaricio setting a demanding early pace and Alcantara finding her rhythm at just the right time, the second round looms as a pivotal test. One solid round could give the leaders breathing room, but a few missed chances or a sudden scoring surge could quickly turn the leaderboard upside down – setting up a tense final-round shootout.
For Avaricio, the key to maintaining her advantage is simple: keep trusting the game that delivered her a bogey-free opener.
“I was very consistent with my drives and second shots, especially on the front nine,” said Avaricio, who also strung together consecutive birdies from No. 2 before producing another pair at the back.
She felt she could have gone even lower after creating several opportunities on the greens.
“I had a lot of birdie chances, although I missed a couple of putts. Still, I'm happy with how I played,” she said.
The strong start has put Avaricio within 36 holes of a third victory this season, following her triumphs at Pinewoods and Summit Point. But with the chasing pack poised to pounce, she knows there is little room for complacency.
Avaricio was also encouraged by the condition of the course, particularly the greens, which she said had improved from last year's setup.
“The course is in very good condition, especially compared with last year. The greens are nicer, and the fairways have always been nice,” she said.
The punishing heat, however, presented another challenge. Avaricio said she made a conscious effort to stay hydrated throughout the round, taking in plenty of water and electrolytes to maintain her energy.
As for the next two rounds, she intends to stick to the plan that served her well in the opener.
“I took notes during the practice round, so I'll probably stick with that – the same approach I used today,” she said.
Alcantara, meanwhile, had every reason to savor her late surge after recovering from an uneven start to produce one of the day's most impressive finishes. Her five birdies down the stretch reflected a growing feel for the greens and a determination to stay patient even when the early holes failed to go her way.
She credited her faith for helping her remain composed, saying she focused on reaching the greens and giving herself chances rather than forcing the issue.
“I just stuck to my plan of getting onto the green and, hopefully, closer to the pin. More than anything, I felt that the Lord guided me today,” said Alcantara, who birdied Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7 and 8 from close range.
Her round nearly produced an even bigger highlight when her approach on No. 5 stopped just inches from the cup, narrowly missing an ace.
Despite the bumpy start, Alcantara hit 10 fairways and 14 greens in regulation, statistics that reinforced her belief that she could have gone even lower had a few more birdie attempts dropped.
“I actually missed a lot of birdie chances today, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. My goal was to get the ball close to the hole, and if the putt went in, great,” she said.
If she can carry that late-round momentum into Wednesday, Alcantara could turn the one-shot deficit into a lead of her own – adding another layer of intrigue to a title race that already features a multiple winner in Avaricio and a host of proven contenders waiting for an opening.
The sweltering conditions were another test, forcing Alcantara to rely on her umbrella and towel for much of the round.
“It was very hot today. I had my umbrella with me throughout the round and kept a towel over my head for most of the time to shield myself from the sun,” she said.
With Avaricio chasing another victory and valuable OOM points, Alcantara emerging as a serious threat after her late rally and a host of others in the hunt, the second round could prove decisive in separating the genuine title contenders from the rest of the field. But at South Pacific, where momentum can change quickly, the final word may have to wait until the last putt drops. TMT
