Que fit for match play tilt but keeps expectations low
STA. ROSA, Laguna—Angelo Que will tee it up today as scheduled, brushing off concerns over a recent illness to lead the field in the ICTSI The Country Club Invitational at the challenging TCC layout.
Que, who clinched the Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit (OOM) title last week, had been a question mark for the P2 million match play event after withdrawing from the Valley leg’s final round due to a severe stomach flu. But after resting over the weekend and skipping Monday’s pro-am, the three-time TCC Invitational champion confirmed he is fit to compete.
“I’m not expecting much since I’m still recovering from a stomach flu,” Que said. “But I will definitely give it my best.”
Despite his tempered expectations, Que comes in with momentum, having capped a consistent season highlighted by two wins, two runner-up finishes and his first career OOM crown.
He opens against Jerson Balasabas, the last man to qualify for the 32-player field. The former Philippine Masters titlist has struggled to find his old form in recent seasons but remains a formidable opponent in match play—a format where one hot stretch can upend the odds.
Match play levels the field, with every hole acting as a separate contest. That pressure-packed setup often produces early-round surprises, particularly when top seeds are not at full strength.
Arnold Villacencio, who pulled off a stunning run to win last year’s edition, returns to defend his title against No. 16 Ryan Monsalve in another intriguing opening-round clash.
Other first-day pairings include No. 2 Keanu Jahns vs. Kristoffer Arevalo, No. 3 Fidel Concepcion vs. Randy Garalde, No. 4 Guido van der Valk vs. Rico Depilo and No. 5 Rupert Zaragosa vs. Francis Morilla.
Also seeing action are Reymon Jaraula against Gerald Rosales, Russell Bautista vs. Mars Pucay, Clyde Mondilla vs. Marvin Dumandan and Tony Lascuña vs. James Ryan Lam.
The rest of the matchups pit Jeffren Lumbo against Nilo Salahog, Collin Wheeler vs. Kang Chonkoo, Michael Bibat vs. Kim Tae Soo, Atsushi Ueda vs. Elee Bisera, Dino Villanueva vs. Gabriel Manotoc and Jhonnel Ababa vs. Zanieboy Gialon.
