ANTIPOLO CITY — Sharpened by her recent stint in Taiwan, Daniella Uy returns to the local circuit to boost an already formidable cast all set for a gritty, rain-soaked showdown in the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge, which gets going today at the Valley Golf’s South course here.

Uy tied for second with Korean Kim Seoyun in the season-opening leg of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) at Pradera Verde last February, before spending the next four months competing in Taiwan.

Though her campaign there fell short of expectations amid tough international competition, the experience provided valuable lessons in resilience and adaptation — tools she now hopes to wield in her pursuit of another LPGT crown.

The former Junior World champion, who racked up wins at Bacolod last year, and at Forest Hills and Del Monte in 2023, faces a talent-packed field headlined by Mafy Singson, who won here in 2023 as an amateur.

Singson also enters with momentum and confidence, coming off a thrilling playoff victory over Florence Bisera at Eagle Ridge in the second leg of this year’s LPGT.

Adding firepower to the mix is Chanelle Avaricio, fresh from a six-shot romp at Forest Hills. Harmie Constantino and Princess Superal, both former Order of Merit winners, are also aiming to regain their form and return to title contention.

Also in the hunt are Sarah Ababa, Chihiro Ikeda, Mikha Fortuna, Bisera and rising star Tiffany Lee, while hoping to break through are Gretchen Villacencio, Velinda Castil, Kayla Nocum, Martina Miñoza and Kim.

Marvi Monsalve, whose game has been honed by stints in Taiwan and Thailand, is also chasing a long-awaited maiden victory.