ATENEO de Manila University and De La Salle University emerged as the early frontrunners as the inaugural UAAP Season 88 golf tournament teed off at Tagaytay Midlands on Monday.

Ateneo’s Monique Mendoza fired an opening-round 81 to grab the lead in the women’s individual competition, overcoming a shaky back nine with a strong mental reset.

“The key was staying mentally strong. I played really poorly after the first nine, but I told myself to keep pushing and recover,” Mendoza said in a news release.

University of the Philippines golfer Annika Gozum stood alone in second place with an 82, while La Salle’s Julia Lua — last year’s standout in the ICTSI Intercollegiate Tournament — settled for third after an 86.

La Salle’s Alexa Dacanay carded an 87 for fourth, followed by Ateneo’s Simi Tinio with an 88. Donnabel Magsino of La Salle shot 92, while Ateneo’s Andie Joson posted 94. UST’s Deborah Escote turned in a 96, ahead of UP’s Ava Heredia (99) and Ateneo’s Renee Heredia (100).

Behind Mendoza’s strong start, Ateneo also took the lead in the women’s team standings with a 263 total, narrowly ahead of La Salle’s 265. UP was a distant third with 288, followed by UST with 302 and Adamson with 365.

In the men’s division, La Salle asserted itself early as Perry Bucay shot an even-par 72 to move one stroke ahead of teammate Zachary Castro, who finished with a 73.

UP’s Joshua Buenaventura and Miggy Roque placed third and fourth with rounds of 74 and 75, respectively.

La Salle’s Miguel Fusilero and Ateneo’s Glenn Unabia shared fifth place after both shot 76s.

The Green Archers also grabbed the top spot in the men’s team competition, tallying a 221 aggregate in the four-to-count, three-to-play format — five strokes clear of UP’s 226. Ateneo sat in third with 240, while UST and Adamson followed with 261 and 370, respectively.