WW golfers seize early lead

CAGAYAN DE ORO - Seven-time champion Wack Wack upset the pre-event seedings by taking the early lead with 137 points, two points ahead of Canlubang, as the 53rd PAL Interclub unfolded in a day awash with sunlight in the morning but ended in heavy downpour at dusk at the Del Monte course here.

Marlon Dizon, one of the RP team heroes in the Brunei Southeast Asian Games last year, fired the day's best of two-under-par 38 points, two-under par 70 in medal play, and Gerard Cantada came in with 36 points to pace the early charge of Wack Wack, the Interclub's first winner in 1948 but whose last title was in 1978.

Former jungolfer Kit Lopez backed up the two with 33 while Bones Floro, grandson of the late sportsman Danny Floro, had a 30 for the team while former national titlist Tetu Santos didn't count with a 16.

Canlubang, fielding a team built on youth and experience, came in second at 135 as Rolly Viray, another ex-amateur champ, matched par 36, Juvic Pagunsan had 34, Boyet Zaragosa scored 33 and Jun Bernis a 32. Mari Hechanova was out of the team scoring despite a 31.

Defending champion Southwoods and host Del Monte came in third with 130 cards while multi-titled Luisita had a so-so start for a 123.

The Carmona-based team, out to prove it has what it takes to be a true champ, pooled together a couple of 34s by Chu Chu Martinez and Jerome Delariate, a 32 by Juami Rocha and 30 by Hanson So, Jr. while former team skipper Minineg Maravilla failed to count with 29.

Del Monte took advantage of its working knowledge of the course as Paul Miñoza, younger brother of top pro Frankie Miñoza, had a 34 and Joel Opaco, and Flor Badelic carded 33s. Tristan Tabanas aided the team's cause with a 30. Ramon Velez was out of team scoring with 28.

Luisita struggled in the day and would need to bring in some of its top guns today to keep the leaders within sight. JR Tanpinco led the Luisitans with 33 and Alex Montelibano, the most senior in the team, added 32. New recruit Raymond Sangil had 30 while one of 28s of Iggy Clavecilla and Jojo Guingona counted for the team.