Garalde stuns Concepcion as Que, Jahns march on
STA. ROSA, LAGUNA—Randy Garalde walked into Tuesday’s opening round of the ICTSI The Country Club Invitational with little to lose. Ranked 30th in the 32-man field, he was largely an afterthought. But by the time he walked off the rain-slicked 13th green, he had authored the day’s biggest surprise—and its cleanest performance.
Garalde stunned third-seeded Fidel Concepcion, 7&5, in a commanding display that shook up the early bracket and set the tone for a soggy but thrilling start to match play at TCC.
“My driving, short game, and putting were all good. I saved a lot of pars, hit three birdies and no bogeys,” said Garalde, who credited the wet conditions for easing pressure. “When you say TCC, we all know it’s tough. But I just played my game and enjoyed the rain.”
One year removed from a first-round exit, Garalde flipped the script with a bogey-free card, dismantling Concepcion—a recent Apo winner and No. 3 in the Order of Merit—and booking a last-16 duel with Gabriel Manotoc, who edged Dino Villanueva in a gritty 1-up finish.
At the other end of the seeding spectrum, top-ranked Angelo Que—still recovering from stomach issues—built a back-nine cushion that led to Jerson Balasabas conceding after 14 holes, sealing a 4-up win for the Asian Tour veteran, who now faces Ryan Monsalve.
Monsalve survived 21 holes to eliminate defending champion Arnold Villacencio in one of the day’s longest matches.
Contrasting styles
Second seed Keanu Jahns, two-time champion Guido van der Valk, and veterans Jhonnel Ababa and Tony Lascuña all advanced in contrasting styles. Jahns outlasted Kristoffer Arevalo, 2&1, to set up a duel with Ababa, who overpowered Zanieboy Gialon, 5&4. Van der Valk, a past titlist, beat Rico Depilo, 4&3, and meets Atsushi Ueda next after the Japanese standout’s 6&5 blowout win over Elee Bisera.
Lascuña, showing vintage form, trounced James Ryan Lam, 6&5, setting up a clash with Russell Bautista, who dispatched Mars Pucay, 5&4.
In other matches, Clyde Mondilla edged Marvin Dumandan, 3&1, and will face Jeffren Lumbo, while Reymon Jaraula advanced past Gerald Rosales for a duel with Collin Wheeler.
