Luisita paces Fil-Am Invitational

BAGUIO, Philippines —  Abe Rosal and Ferdie Barbosa each scored 27 points and Luisita moved to the right track for a second straight Fil Championship title in the seniors’ edition of the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational.

Benjie Sumulong made 25 and Chino Raymundo added 23 for Luisita’s 102 output at the Baguio Country Club.

Rival Manila Southwoods-1 assembled 97 while unheralded Riviera Golf surprised everyone by placing third with 96 at the start of competition in the tournament’s premier division.

Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova believes the team has yet to unleash its full potential.

“They didn’t play their normal games. After our scores came in, I thought we would be behind by at least eight to 10 points. The biggest surprise was to find out that we’d be leading by five on opening day,” he said.

Jun Jun Plana, as expected, led the way for Manila Southwoods, the many-time Fil-Am winner, with 31.