Bregente, Suzuki dodge upsets to set up big clash for men’s title

Rolando Bregente and Shinichi Suzuki edged out different foes to seal a title clash in the NGAP’s National Match Play Championship on a rainy Friday that saw Precious Zaragosa put an end to Lisa Sarines’ double title aspirations with an upset win in the ladies’ semifinals.

The top-ranked Bregente fended off the upset-conscious Emilio Hernandez, pulling out a 1-up win despite putting woes, even as the 6-foot-3 Suzuki, seeded second, outsteadied young Ralph Batican, 2&1, as the title match will feature finesse vs power on Saturday at tree-lined Luisita in Tarlac.

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“Yes, I will likely be behind him most of the time,” Bregente told the Inquirer in Filipino, as he admits to being outhit by at least 15 yards by Suzuki. “It’s going to be an interesting final. I want to win this as much as he does.”

The 24-year-old Bregente has won numerous national titles, but not this one, and admits being driven by that.

“I really want to win this, although this is the deepest I have made it into the tournament,” he went on, referring to the 2024 edition when he was ousted by now-benefactor Gary Sales in the semifinals. “I improved on that already. But there’s still work to be done.”

Zaragosa, meanwhile, bundled out the 14-year-old Sarines, 2-up, to advance opposite Grace Quintanilla, the top seed and newly crowned Singapore Am Open champion who was authoritative in a 4&2 ripping of young Nicole Gan.

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“Just excitement,” Zaragosa, who eased out front, 1-up, with a birdie from about eight feet on the picturesque par-3 17th where she used a 9-iron against hard wind, said when asked if she is nervous facing the No. 1 seed as she tries to follow in older brother Rupert Zaragosa’s footsteps of being a national champion.

“Of course that is a motivation,” Precious, who actually rallied from 2-down by winning the last four holes. went on after she was reminded that Rupert started winning national titles in a string when he was just 14.

Bregente said that he will stick to what has worked for him this week, and that is to stay patient and not take too many risks.

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“I just hope my putting works (in the final match), because I really struggled (in the semis),” Bregente said, narrating several flubbed chances against Hernandez where he blew driver-length putts to win a number of holes. “Putting will be crucial.”