STA. Rosa, Laguna — Two of the top three seeds who have each won two legs on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) are putting a premium on smart, calculated play as the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational comes off the wraps on Tuesday at TCC here.

Despite their status as favorites, Sarah Ababa and Chanelle Avaricio are keeping expectations in check. Both acknowledge that match play — unlike the season-long stroke-play grind — levels the playing field and gives every qualifier a real shot at the season-ending crown.

Only the Top 16 performers from the 10-leg LPGT season have earned spots in the field.

“In the match play, the battle is hole by hole, not the total score,” Ababa said.

“Sometimes, you have to be aggressive depending on the opponent and situation. You have to adjust quickly and think of delivering smart shots.”

“It’s more of a mental game, so focus and composure on every hole are crucial,” added the Davaoeña ace, who surged late in the season with tight victories at Del Monte and South Pacific to clinch the Order of Merit (OOM) title.

Avaricio shares the same mindset, saying success this week will depend less on pure shot-making and more on tactical decisions — particularly in the unpredictable, head-to-head format where momentum can shift in a single swing.

“No expectations for match play, because it’s different from stroke play. I’ll just do my best hole-by-hole and enjoy,” said Avaricio, who rediscovered top form with a dominant win at Forest Hills. She later avenged a playoff loss to Ababa by clinching another commanding triumph at Apo.

“On strategy, I think I’ll play my game hole-by-hole and make smart decisions in every shot. Hopefully, it will be good,” added Avaricio, also the top Filipina finisher at tied 13th in last week’s Party Golfers Ladies Open in Taiwan, the annual tournament co-sanctioned by Taiwan LPGA Tour and the LPGT.

While both players are entering the week with confidence, they were quick to point out that match play often produces results far different from stroke-play expectations. A lower seed can eliminate a favorite in an instant, a single bad hole can flip an entire match and momentum can vanish — or surge — without warning.

For that reason, Ababa is approaching the P1.5-million event, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., with excitement rather than pressure. Fresh off her first OOM title and riding the momentum of her South Pacific victory, she looks to stay steady in the volatile format.