The defending champion thrived under pressures over the hazard-laden five-year old layout in Danao City that scuttled the early bids of the other powerhouse teams, including chief title contender Manila Southwoods which could only come up with a 112.
Luisita, looming as a darkhouse in the centerpiece event, came in second at 117 while Wack Wack was fourth overall at 102 at the start of the prestigious event long regarded as the national team championship.
National team player Juvic Pagunsan came up with three-over par 33 points to lead the Sweeties’ scorers followed by Jun Bernis with 32 and the 31s of Abel Rosal and former pro Dave Hernandez while Ronnie Torrecampo didn’t count with a 28.
Canlubang earlier said its title-retention bid would hinge on the stint of its virtual shock troopers who would be sent to the tough layout at the outskirts of the city and opening day card augured well for the team’s campaign for a ninth crown.
The biggest disappointment in the day was Southwoods which had a disastrous start that at one time it nursed a best card of four-over par on the front side before completing its round behind a top scoring 30 points of former jungolfer Chu Chu Martinez.
Martinez fired two birdies against three pick-up holes and was initially to have submitted a 28 but the error was later rectified to a 30. Japanese jungolf champion Toro Nakajima could only card a 29 while Juami Rocha contributed a 28 and Jun Jun Plana a 25 while Raymond Sangil didn’t count with a 24.
"It was a bad start. Mabuti na lang nakapitan," said Southwoods coach Bong Lopez.
The Carmona-based team hopes to get going today when action shifts to the old Cebu Country Club at the heart of the metropolis with the team fielding Cookie LaO, Artemio Murakami, Jerome Deliarte, Nakajima and national champion Angelo Que.
"We’re used to coming from behind but we will have to come up with a pretty solid team and keep their lead down," said captain Thirdy Escano.
Among those expected to play for Canlubang are Jun Cedo, Mari Hechanova, Rolly Viray, Solomon Gines, Boyet Zaragosa and Jimmy Feliciano although team captain Luigi Yulo may tinker with a lineup which could slow down Southwoods’ comeback bid.
Luisita leaned on national caddie champion Jay Bayron who had a 33 and veteran Francis Gaston’s 32. Anthony Fernando and Marvin Dumandan had identical 26 cards and Iggy Clavecilla a 23.
Cebu Country Club and Del Monte shared the early Founders’ Division lead with identical 110 cards at the Club Filipino course while Leyte, boosted by Gabriel Yap, Jr.’s 33 points marked by a hole-in-one, showed the way in the Friendship class with 102 at the Cebu Country Club.
Veteran Clifford Celdran fired 30 points to pace Cebu pointmakers followed by Jimmy Unchuan (28), Anton Florendo (27), and Carl Almario (25). Those who counted for Del Monte were Paul Miñoza (30), Joel Bernaldez (29), Dr. Tristan Tabanas (27) and Joel Opaco (24).
An interested spectator for the Del Monte team was top Filipino pro Frankie Miñoza who came in Monday night from Singapore where he finished seventh in the Singapore Open.
"I’m just passing through on my way to Bukidnon," said Miñoza who had a torrid 17-under in the first two days including a record 11-under 61 in the second round before fading in the weekend action of the event won by Vijay Singh.
Pueblo De Oro was protecting a three-point lead at 105 against second running Club Filipino (102) while Camp Evangelista had 98 for third.
Yap, 28, made his first ace in 12 years with a seven-iron Callaway x-12 Pro Series and a Tour Special ball on the 150-yard third hole of the Cebu Country Club course. He was with Dan Vargas, Victor Esperas and Allen Mercado. He won a roundtrip ticket to San Francisco and P10,000 worth of PLDT long distance calls.
Leyte had a three-point lead over San Juanico (99) and 20 over Iloilo (82) in the Friendship Division. Other scorers for Leyte were Eddie Ong (26), Rolando Alberto (25), Nolan Rada. British Columbia came in fourth at 75, followed by Pittsburg (74), Heritage (72), Going Bananas (62) and Sky West (55).
Riviera’s made 95 to place third in the Founder’s Division, followed by Forest Hills 93, Club Intramuros 84, Alabang 80, Apo 79, Ilagan 75, Bacolod 72, Villamor 71, Capitol Hills 70 and Hawaii 21.