High-stakes finale beckons in IIT final leg at Eastridge

As Addie Manhit and the UP-1 squad aim to sustain their momentum following a resounding surge in Round 3 at Pradera Verde, attention also turns to La Salle-1’s Julia Lua, who is expected to return for the final leg of the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tour (ladies division), which fires off tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 24, at Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

Manhit, who placed second to Ateneo-2’s Shane Tan in the previous round, soared to the top of the individual leaderboard with 27 points, highlighted by a commanding 15-point performance in Round 2 at Caliraya Springs.

She also secured a runner-up finish in the opening leg at Royal Northwoods — an impressive campaign that has earned her an early ticket to the grand finals.

Organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. in partnership with the Philippine Golf Foundation, the four-round tour aims to reshape the landscape of collegiate golf by providing a competitive yet development-driven platform for student-athletes transitioning from junior golf.

The final leg at Eastridge will be crucial, as it determines the qualifiers for the grand finals set for Sept. 23–25 at Splendido Taal Golf Club.

Only players who competed in at least two preliminary legs and earned ranking points will be eligible.

The top eight teams — and ties — in both the men’s and ladies’ divisions will also advance.

Manhit holds a slim lead in the individual race, trailed by Ateneo-1’s Simi Tinio with 18 points.

Lua, who won the preseason event at Sherwood Hills and dominated Round 1 at Royal Northwoods, is tied for third with Tan at 15 points.

Despite sitting out the last two rounds due to health reasons, Lua is expected to return in top form and spearhead La Salle-1’s charge.

But Lua won’t be alone in the title chase.

Other heavy hitters in contention include teammates Janine Yusay and Stacey Chua; Ateneo-1’s Monique Mendoza and Andrea Joson; College of St. Benilde’s Natasha Bantug; and Katrisse Datoc of UP-1.

In team competition, UP-1, powered by Manhit and Alyanna Yatco, leads the field with 30 points.

La Salle-1, with Lua, Yusay, and Chua, trails with 24 points, while Ateneo-2 sits third with 18, backed by Tan, Annika Jalbuena, and Tatiana Ong.

CSB (15), Ateneo-1 (14), and La Salle-3 (14) are all within striking distance, setting up a high-stakes showdown for the final qualifying slots.

The mountain-top Eastridge course promises to be a true test of skill and nerve.

With winding fairways, punishing bunkers, lurking hazards, and greens that defy easy reading, no one holds a distinct advantage heading into the final leg.

Precision, patience, and mental toughness will be key — making this final stretch a pressure cooker for both seasoned and emerging talents.

This do-or-die atmosphere mirrors the drama in men’s Round 4 last week at Beverly Place Golf Club, where Rolando Bregente clinched the individual title and led Lyceum of the Philippines University–Cavite to the team championship.

Unfortunately, they missed the finals cut due to the two-round requirement.

With only the best two rounds counted toward rankings, everything is still up for grabs — both individually and in team play.

Expect a fierce, down-to-the-wire battle as the country’s top collegiate golfers vie for the final leg honors and coveted spots in the grand finals.