Monsalve shocks No. 1 Ababa in big Match Play reversal

STA. ROSA CITY, LAGUNA – Marvi Monsalve made the most of a late opportunity to enter the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational – and then produced the most stunning result of the rain-hit Tuesday round by eliminating top seed Sarah Ababa in a composed and calculated performance befitting the match-play format’s unpredictability.

Originally outside the elite 16-player roster, Monsalve was elevated into the field only after Princess Superal and Chihiro Ikeda withdrew to compete in the Japan Q-School. But once in, she took full advantage, going shot-for-shot and putt-for-putt against the newly crowned Order of Merit (OOM) champion before seizing control at the backside of the demanding TCC layout.

From there, she never let Ababa back in as Monsalve closed out a commanding 3&2 victory and barged into the quarterfinals of the P1.5-million season finale of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

Monsalve credited her composure and putting for the victory – factors that often become decisive in head-to-head matches, where each hole is its own contest and emotional swings can be more impactful than scorecard numbers.

“Putting,” Monsalve said simply when asked what made the difference. “My game was steady today, and Sarah also had some bad breaks. She hit a couple of good shots that had bad bounces.”

Her win underscored one of match play’s defining quirks – rankings matter far less than momentum, patience and the ability to capitalize on isolated opportunities, especially when facing a player who has been consistent all season. Monsalve herself entered ranked No. 18 in the OOM, with her best performance a tied-sixth finish at Apo.

“I honestly didn’t expect to win. Sarah’s a very good player,” added Monsalve, who now moves on to face another formidable opponent, Daniella Uy, in the Last 8.

Uy, Florence Bisera and Tiffany Lee also advanced with authoritative wins, each showing the sharpness needed to make a deep run in the match-play format, where a single shaky stretch can end a campaign.

Uy, who narrowly missed wins at Pradera Verde and Bacolod, dispatched Gretchen Villacencio, 4&3. She seized control early with steady pars under drizzle and never let up, setting a collision course with Monsalve in the quarters of the season-ending event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“I’m very determined because I haven’t won this year,” said Uy, while noting she still needs to fine-tune all parts of her game. “It’s a whole package – driving, approach shots, short game and putting.”

Bisera, aiming not just to repeat but to complete a three-title sweep this season, including a breakthrough win in Thailand, cruised past Kayla Nocum, 5&4, to set up a duel with Martina Miñoza, who turned back Pamela Mariano, 3&1.

Lee, meanwhile, overwhelmed Apple Fudolin for a 6&4 rout, showcasing the sharp putting and accurate driving that delivered her maiden pro win at Splendido Taal last year. But she set up an intriguing matchup against Mafy Singson, who edged Kim Seoyun in a nervy 1-up finish.

“I was making a lot of birdie putts and my drives were really accurate, so that helped me a lot today,” said the 17-year-old Lee. “Conditions weren’t too tough, the air was just a little thick so some shots came up shorter, but overall it was okay.”

Third seed Chanelle Avaricio also overcame early trouble, clawing back from two holes down to thwart Velinda Castil, 3&2, and seal a marquee showdown with Harmie Constantino, last year’s OOM winner, who likewise had to grind out a tight 1-up escape over Kristine Fleetwood.