Southwoods grabs Fil-Am seniors lead

BAGUIO, Philippines – Edmund Yee turned in a two-under 67 worth 38 points as Manila Southwoods surged past defending champion San Miguel-Northern Cement in the seniors Fil Championship of the Fil-Am Golf Invitational tournament at the Camp John Hay here yesterday.

With former pro Raul Miñoza adding 34 and Koreans Chang Duk Jung and Kui Sun Moon chipping in 31 points each, the Carmona-based squad pooled a 134. Cipriano Abdon shot 26 points and failed to figure in the five-to-play, four-to-count event presented by San Miguel.

Yee gunned down three birdies to highlight his round, including on the par-5 opening hole and the par-4 No. 14, helping Southwoods seize the initiative against the Eddie Bagtas-led San Miguel-Northern Cement.

The reigning champions drew a pair of 33s from Jingky Tuason and Chito Laureta, while former pro Bagtas and Benjie Sumulong carded similar 32s for a 130.

Megafiber, the 2013 champion, stood eight shots behind with a 126 with Rolly Viray firing 34 points and Jose Mari Hechanova and Rene Unson putting in identical 33s. Tony Olives added a 26.

Pugo Adventure, which ruled the 2014 edition of the annual event, struggled with a 118 and lay 16 points off the pace.

Dugong Bughaw, meanwhile, took charge in the Am Championship with 111 points, seven points ahead of Manila Southwoods.

Edgar Lee, Noel Marcelino and Ed Rendon each shot 28 points at the shorter par 61 Baguio Country Club while Marlon Soriano added a 27 and Ed Rendon didn’t count for Dugong Bughaw with a 26 in the event backed by Toyota, Petron, Magnolia, SMC Global Power, Northern Cement, San Miguel Lifestyle Brews, Manor at Camp John Hay, Forest Lodge, Empire, CJH Development Corporation, Baguio Country Club, Le Chef, CJH Trade and Cultural Center, and Mizuno. 

Brian Park shot 31 points to lead Southwoods’ 104-point output that also included a pair of 25s by Alexander Ignacio and Daniel Samaniego and a 23 by Frumencio Deguito.