Bregente, LPU-Cavite shine but miss IIT finals berth

MEXICO, Pampanga – Rolando Bregente delivered an impressive performance in his ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour debut, holing out with a dramatic eagle on the final hole to cap a stirring three-under 68 and clinch a two-stroke victory over Sean Granada in Round 4 at the Beverly Place Golf Club here Sunday.

But despite the showcase of talent and nerves of steel, Bregente – and his Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite squad – will not advance to the season-ending finals next month after failing to meet the minimum participation requirement of two events.

Granada, the College of St. Benilde standout who won Round 2 at Splendido Taal, rallied with three back-nine birdies to shoot a 70 and secure runner-up honors. Alongside Zach Castro of La Salle-1, winner of Round 3 at Pradera Verde, they now head the list of qualifiers advancing to the grand finals set Sept. 23 to 25 at Splendido Taal.

Under IIT rules, only teams and players who competed in at least two of the four rounds are eligible for the finals. The top eight teams and ties in each division, including the ladies, will advance, along with all players who have earned points.

Bregente, playing his lone leg of the course-hopping tour, upstaged a stacked field that had split the first three rounds, including UP-1’s Joshua Buenaventura, Granada, and Castro.

Their expected three-way duel quickly unraveled as Bregente, a Bukidnon native, stormed out with a birdie on the opening hole. He showcased elite-level ball-striking, combining length, precise irons, and steady putting to dominate early.

Birdies from Nos. 9 to 11 pushed him to a three-shot lead, but three bogeys over the next four holes dropped him behind La Salle’s Robin See at one-under.

Unfazed, Bregente birdied the par-3 16th and sealed his round with a stunning eagle on the par-5 18th. From near the greenside bunker, he lofted a delicate shot that landed just short of the pin before rolling in on a tricky downhill lie.

“I didn’t expect to shoot a 68, much less make an eagle, especially on that downhill,” Bregente said in Filipino after his win.

“Kasi ka-enrol ko lang,” he added, noting his late decision to join the tour and crediting Lyceum-Cavite captain Michael Bolano for encouraging him.

Buenaventura and Castro tied for third with See at 74, while See faltered with four bogeys over his last six holes.

UP-1’s Miggy Roque shot 75 for sixth. Bolano posted a 76 for joint seventh with La Salle-1’s Lorenzo Flores, while Angelo Fusilero of La Salle-1 and La Salle-2’s Arvin Ong had matching 77s.

Bregente and Bolano’s combined 144 lifted Lyceum-1 to the team title, edging UP-1 by five after the Diliman squad pooled a 149. La Salle-1 settled for third with 150.

Still, Lyceum’s late entry into the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and Philippine Golf Foundation co-developed tour means their campaign ends here.

Meanwhile, Round 4 of the ladies division is set Aug. 24 at Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal. All eyes will be on La Salle-1’s Julia Lua, expected to return after missing two legs.

Lua, who won the pre-launch leg at Sherwood Hills and Round 1 at Royal Northwoods, is tied for third in the individual standings with 15 points alongside Ateneo-2’s Shane Tan, who topped the Pradera Verde leg.

UP-1’s Addie Manhit leads with 27 points from two runner-up finishes and a victory at Caliraya Springs, while Ateneo-1’s Simi Tinio sits second with 18 points. The Eastridge leg could once again shuffle the leaderboard before the finals cast is set.