Club Filipino claims Sportswriters crown

CEBU CITY — Club Filipino de Cebu closed out with 220 at the Cebu Country Club course here yesterday to become the first winner in the 15th Philippines Airlines Seniors Inter-Club Championship.

But the Cebu bets have to share the spotlight with Philippine Navy’s Hector Samonte who fired a hole-in-one at the par 72, 6,233-yard Country Club course.

Together with their first-day 201 at the Club Filipino layout in Davao City, the Club Filipino campaigners wound up with 421 to score a come-from-behind triumph in the Sportswriters Division.

Luisita sparkled with 240 points at Club Filipino de Cebu course to start its Championship Division defense on a high note despite the absence of top gun Carlo Gamban.

Alex Montelibano led the Luisitans with 51 points via the modified Stableford scoring or Molave.

Alan Gaston and Richie Garcia contributed 49 apiece while King Sumulong, Gamban’s last-minute substitute due to an eye injury, added 47. Lucio Yan completed Luisita’s scoring with 44.

Alfonso Marcelo made 38, Tony Garcia fired 36 and Cesar Muñoz carded 35 but they didn’t count since only the top five scorers are counted each round.

Ed Franco made 46 points to pace the new Sportswriters Division champs. Leo Alvez and Ed de Leon contributed 45 each, Rolly Santos made 43 while Cebu Vice Mayor Renato Osmeña added 41.

Riviera Golf and Country Club carded 232 to take second place behind Luisita, followed by Manila Golf and Country Club with 220, Villamor Golf Club 216 and Cebu Country Club 215.

Wack Wack Golf and Country, the team ranked to give Luisita the toughest fight in the premier class, was the division’s biggest disappointment as it could only make 212 to take sixth place.

Pueblo de Oro, the first round leader after making 207 points, came up with 199 to share of second place with Lanang Country Club, which 219 go with 187 for 406 in the Sportswriters Class.