Depilo, Nocum stun top seeds

The inherent unpredictability of match play was on full display yesterday as unseeded Rico Depilo and Elee Bisera eliminated the top two seeds in the opening round of the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational at the TCC layout.

- 

Depilo, a Philippine Golf Tour regular but still seeking a major breakthrough in stroke play, seized his moment in the head-to-head format, toppling defending champion and top seed Tony Lascuña in a stunning 3&1 victory.

For Depilo, it was a career-defining performance, eclipsing his Top 10 finishes on the regular tour.

"Hindi ko ini-expect na matalo ko siya kasi alam kong magaling talaga siya (I didn't expect to beat him because I know how skilled he is)," admitted Depilo, acknowledging Lascuña's edge.

However, Depilo, 52, didn't let the match stretch to the challenging par-4 closing hole.

With the duel tied after 14 holes, he delivered clutch pars on the 15th and 16th, taking advantage of Lascuña's struggles to get up and down on both holes.