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 unfolds Monday at 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.

Also returning to the fold are Ateneo squads, with Team 2’s Shane Tan and Tatiana Ong looking to make a late surge, while individual contender Simi Tinio of Ateneo I will aim to disrupt the favorites. CSB’s Natasha Bantug, who showed resilience in Laguna, is another name to watch.

Enderun Colleges’ Daine Pillerin and Kristyanna Herrera, Mapua’s Angel Cawili, and Saint Louis University debutant Annika Molintas add further depth to the race, making for what could be a chaotic finish in the individual standings.

In the men’s draw, Joshua Buenaventura of UP and Sean Granada of CSB, winners of the first two legs, are on a collision course for supremacy. With the best two scores from the four-round series counting toward qualification for the Sept. 23-25 grand finals at Splendido Taal, today’s round is a pivotal one.

CSB comes in stacked, with David Guangko and C’Zedrick Sulaik boosting Granada’s squad, while La Salle I’s Zachary Castro, Miguel Fusilero, and Enzo Flores remain dangerous on any given day. La Salle II features Lucas Aldeguer, Jet Ang and Arvin Ong, all capable of upsetting the leaderboard.

Ateneo, too, is firmly in the mix, led by Schmuel Tan, Emilio Curran, and Christian Romero (Team 1), while Team 3’s Tyler Zamuco, Lorenzo Udasco, and Zach Nicart are expected to contribute to the title chase.

University of the Cordilleras’ Ranz Balay-odao, a model of consistency with two Top 4 finishes, is due for a breakout win. He anchors his team with Jay Guanso, while Carl Bohol competes in the individual category.

Mapua’s multiple teams, led by Alberto Combo, Felix Manubay and Joaquin Berdan, alongside Enderun’s emerging talents Kyle Raquino, Prajit Mishra and Thomas Shim, all pose threats in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive rounds yet.

Also in the fold are SLU’s Jhones Miranda, Lance Go and Melchor Rabanes, UST’s Virgilio David, Marc Velasco, Ralph Villame, Alden Uy, Samuel Braganza and Kidrich Alcantara, and UP’s own men’s contingent led by Miggy Roque and Emilio Carpio.

The key to surviving Pradera Verde lies in course strategy and emotional control. With swirling winds capable of turning straightforward holes into puzzles and risk-reward decisions looming large on several par-5s, the door is open for momentum swings, comeback surges, and heart-wrenching collapses.