Ching returns to Manoa Cup

Defending champion Alex Ching will be the top seed in the 101st Manoa Cup, set to begin tomorrow with a qualifying round at Oahu Country Club.

The first round of the state amateur match-play championship is set for Tuesday. The 64-player field will be whittled down until two are left for Saturday's 36-hole championship match.

Ching was named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year at San Diego and earned Ping honorable mention All-America honors.

Other past champions in the field are Brandan Kop (1983, '86, '97, '98), Kellen-Floyd Asao (2003), Ryan Perez (2004) and Kurt Nino (2007). Lorens Chan, the reigning state high school champion, and 'Iolani teammate David Fink are also entered.

43 golfers advance in junior qualifier

Taisei Negishi of Hilo carded a hole-in-one and was among 43 golfers in 10 divisions who advanced out of yesterday's Callaway Junior World Championship qualifier at Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. The Junior World Championship will be held July 14-17 in San Diego.

Buffanblu on QB Club agenda

Notre Dame-bound linebacker Manti Te'o is among the speakers scheduled to appear at tomorrow's meeting of the Honolulu Quarterback Club at the Pagoda Hotel's LaSalle Room.

Fellow Punahou products Kristin Lim (tennis) and Christel Simms (swimming) are also on the agenda, along with Brian Jones, the director of partnership development with the Seattle Seahawks.

Lunch starts at 11:30 a.m. The program starts at noon.

Kreitz powers Menehune

Antonius Kreitz drove in four runs to lead the Kauai Menehune to a 10-2 win over the Hawaii Aliis in a Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League game yesterday at Mililani High School.