Top seed Chihiro Ikeda and top amateur Rianne Malixi rolled to easy victories and stayed on track for a projected semifinal showdown in the ICTSI Villamor Match Play Invitational at the Villamor Gold Club Tuesday.
Ikeda, the Order of Merit champion, ousted Martina Minoza, 4 and 2, while Malixi took the measure of Pamela Mariano, 3 and 2.
In the quarterfinals, Ikeda takes on Lovelyn Guioguio while Malixi faces Gretchen Villacencio.
Guiguio edged Apple Jeen Fudolin, 1-up, while Villacencio took out Kristine Fleetwood, 2 and 1.
The 15-year-old Malixi, a three-time winner in the tour this season, looms as the biggest stumbling block for Ikeda
Sunshine Baraquiel posted the day’s quickest win, bundling out Eva Minoza, 7 and 6. She took five of the first seven holes in the back nine.
“I shot four birdies but made a double at the par-3 No. 17 and finished with seven pars,” said Baraquiel who earned a quarterfinal duel with Harmie Constantino.
In one of three matches that reached the 18th hole, Constantino outdueled amateur Mafy Singson, 1-up.
“It was more like a rally, it went back and forth,” said Constantino of her match.
“She (Mafy) led early on and we were all square after 9. Then we just kept on going back from 1-up or all square then I would go 1 up. It’s always a rally.”
Against Constantino, Baraquiel said she needs to hit the fairways and attack the pins.
The day’s major upset was pulled off by Florence Bisera who needed three extra holes to upend Sarah Ababa.
Bisera battles Marvi Monsalve, a 3 and 2 winner over Lucy Landicho.
