Top amateur golfers to vie for Philippine team spots
MANILA, Philippines – At least 10 of the country’s top amateur stars will fight for the four Philippine team spots for the Putra and Nomura cups this year.
The Philippine team is set to see action in the Putra Cup, internationally known as the Southeast Asian Team Championship, in August and September’s Nomura Cup.
Already assured of participating in the grueling 108-hole qualifier, slated Wednesday (July 
at the Mount Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas are former national squad stalwarts Tonlits Asistio, Rufino Bayron and Jhonel Ababa.
Expected to mix it up are Dante Becierra, the ex-champion of the Hong Kong Open Championship, the come-backing Miko Alejandro and sophomore Peter Villaber of the ICTSI group and the Calatagan boys composed of Mark Fernando and Jessie Balasabas.
“It’s going to be a thrill to watch these boys battle it our for the four-man RP (team) to the two upcoming events (Putra and Nomura). I wish everybody the best," said National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) director Pablo Soon.
Soon and the rest of the NGAP are hoping to get the best out of the qualifier and improve on the third place finish in the Putra Cup in Singapore.
Asistio, Bayron and Ababa were members of last year’s team.
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