Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines — Marvin Dumandan puts in motion his bid for a second straight Apo Classic title Wednesday at the Apo Golf Club in Davao City.

The Davao-native Dumandan goes for the P200,000 top prize in the third leg of the revived ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour. He will be up against an equally talented bunch of Asian Tour superstars such as Juvic Pagunsan, Artemio Murakami, Antonio Lascuna and Mars Pucay.

The long-hitting Dumandan, who finished runner up to Danny Zarate in the kickoff leg of this year’s tour at Mt. Malarayat, is the defending champion at Apo after winning the final leg of the three-stage tour in 2008.

Out to challenge him are local talents Jay Bayron, Cassius Casas, Elmer Salvador, Ramil Bisera, Elmer Saban.

The three-leg tour also serves as a prelude to this year’s 10-event circuit.

Others tipped to figure in the crown are Robert Pactolerin, Rey Pagunsan, Carito Villaroman, Michael Bibat, Erwin Vinluan, Cookie La'O, Jerome Delariarte, Richard Sinfuego and Benjie Magada and brand new pros Ferdie Aunzo and Anthony Fernando.

Also seeing action are some of the country's top amateurs, including Dante Becierra, Brent Sumampong, Art Arbole, Peter Villaber, Dino Villanueva, Zanie Boy Gialon and Alexes Nallos.

From Apo, the tour will go to Cagayan de Oro next week for the fourth leg - the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on July 8-10 -- while Sherwood Hills in Cavite will stage the fifth leg on July 27-31 with the ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic.

• GMANews.TV
• Philippine Sports Central