Wild finish in IIT Pradera leg looms

LUBAO, Pampanga — With titles and final berths on the line, players in both the men’s and ladies’ divisions brace for a nerve-wracking test as Round 3 of the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tournament (IIT) unfolds on Monday at the wind-swept Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club — a layout expected to reward precision and punish even the slightest misstep.

Perched on the fringes of Mt. Pinatubo’s sprawling plains, Pradera Verde's wide fairways may offer room off the tee, but the real challenge lies in its ever-changing winds, tricky pin placements, and demanding green complexes. It’s a course that doesn’t just test physical skill — it measures mental toughness and the ability to adapt under pressure, especially with the leaderboard tightly packed in both team and individual competitions.

Coming off a dominant win at Caliraya Springs in Laguna, UP standout Addie Manhit is riding a wave of confidence. Her gritty play, highlighted by disciplined course management and clutch putting, propelled not just her individual victory but also UP’s team triumph alongside Katrisse Datoc and Alyanna Yatco.

But Manhit will face tough competition from La Salle standouts Janine Yusay and Stacey Chan, along with several other contenders, in both the individual and team events of the Tour. The team format follows a three-to-play, two-to-count system, in a tournament co-developed by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and the Philippine Golf Foundation.

La Salle ace Julia Lua, who dominated the pre-launch event at Sherwood Hills and Round 1 at Royal Northwoods but missed Round 2, remains a doubtful starter.