Oct 11, 2026
Pueblo de Oro sets stage for LPGT’s high-stakes home stretch
MANILA, Philippines – A first Order of Merit crown is within Yvon Bisera’s reach, but Harmie Constantino stands in the way – and with three legs left in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour season, the race for supremacy is shaping up as a down-to-the-wire battle.
Bisera and Constantino lead a talented field heading into the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship, which gets under way Monday (Oct. 12) at Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro. The P1.25-million championship kicks off a three-leg Mindanao swing that will decide not only the season’s remaining tournament titles but also the coveted OOM crown.
Armed with a pair of victories and three other strong finishes, Bisera has built a commanding position atop the season-long rankings, with total earnings of P439,150. But the margin offers little room for complacency, especially with Constantino, a former OOM champion, mounting a determined bid to reclaim the distinction she won in 2024.
Constantino sits second with P377,100 after also delivering a runaway victory at Caliraya Springs, leaving her with a clear target as the Tour enters its decisive stretch. The final three legs offer ample opportunity to overhaul the standings, putting a premium on consistency and clutch performances when the pressure is at its highest.
Bisera, for her part, has shown she can win in contrasting fashion. She opened her title run with a nerve-wracking three-way playoff victory at Lakewood before asserting her dominance at Pradera Verde, where she romped to a commanding seven-shot triumph.
Those results, complemented by three other strong finishes, including a runner-up effort at Summit Point, have given her the upper hand in the OOM race. But the ace Davaoeña knows that a strong finish – not past accomplishments – will ultimately determine whether she can convert her season-long consistency into a maiden OOM title.
The Mindanao swing, which will conclude at South Pacific and Apo in the next two weeks, thus presents Bisera with both an opportunity to consolidate her lead and a stern test of her ability to sustain her form under mounting pressure.
Beyond the leading pair, several proven winners are eager to make their presence felt after campaigns marked by flashes of brilliance but not enough consistency to keep them regularly in contention.
Princess Superal and Tiffany Lee are among those seeking to revive their title bids. Both have the credentials to challenge the field, but uneven results have kept them from producing the podium finishes their talent promises. A change of venue – snd the distinct demands of Pueblo de Oro – could provide the spark they need to turn their seasons around.
The Cagayan de Oro layout offers a compelling test for the field, with natural ravines, rolling hills and five interconnected lakes shaping a course that rewards precision, sound course management and the ability to adapt. Panoramic views of the Bukidnon mountains add to its appeal, while occasional glimpses of Macajalar Bay from the back nine provide a striking backdrop to the competition.
Hosting an LPGT event for the first time in a long while, Pueblo de Oro brings a different character to the Tour’s closing stretch. The venue hosted two Junior PGT events this year, including the North vs. South Finals, and its management has maintained the course in top condition year-round to ensure it remains competitive for tournaments of the LPGT’s caliber.
The championship also offers a fresh opportunity for a formidable group of contenders looking to salvage their campaigns, build momentum and make a late push for honors.
Reigning OOM champion Sarah Ababa heads the list of players seeking redemption, alongside multi-titled Chihiro Ikeda and Daniella Uy. They will be joined by Martina Miñoza, Pamela Mariano, Apple Fudolin, Velinda Castil, Kayla Nocum, Marvi Monsalve, Rev Alcantara, Eunhua Nam, Monica Mandario, Eva Miñoza and Angela Mangana, all capable of making a charge if they find their rhythm on the challenging layout.
Four of the country’s leading amateurs will also test their skills against the professionals, adding another layer of intrigue to the championship. Ace Superal and Isabella Tabanas will be joined by JPGT standouts Rafella Batican and Precious Zaragosa, while club invitee Eleana Dumalaog will relish the opportunity to measure her game against the country’s top campaigners. TMT
