Nike scores Fil-Am sweep

Baguio City — Nike-Pacsports overwhelmed Manila Southwoods in the premier Fil and Am division championships at the 57th Fil-Am Golf Invitational to cap four days of superior shot-making here.

Riding crest on an 18-point lead before the final round, Nike’s Fil team was simply ruthless from start to finish as it closed out with 137 points on Saturday to register its third consecutive title in the centerpiece Fil division played at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay Golf Club here.

Mark Fernando, one of three additions in the roster after Juvic Pagunsan turned pro early this year, submitted the only sub-par score of one-under par 60, equal to 37 points in the tournament’s Stableford scoring format, to lead Nike’s rampage at Baguio Country Club.

Two other newcomers, Jonel Ababa and Joseph Labajo shot 35 and 34 points, respectively, while Jun Bernis, who plans to turn pro in 2007, added 31 for Nike’s four-day total 570 and lopsided 23-point victory over its closest rival Southwoods.

"I’m very proud of the rookies but I’m very happy that everybody delivered," said a jubilant Nike skipper Tommy Manotoc.

It was a sorry loss for the Carmona-based Southwoods which reeled from the absence of its main gunners Mike Bibat and Gene Bondoc who are both seeing action for the RP team in the ongoing men’s golf competition in 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

Tonlits Asistio shot 34, Anthony Fernando and Jong Laput made a pair of 33s and Miko Alejandro contributed 32 for a final day 132 points and 547 aggregate. Don Erwin Vinluan had 29 but did not count in the five-to-play, four-to-count format.

Way behind at third spot with 499 points was the Del Monte Golf Team followed by Mizuno Golf Team 494 and Eastridge Golf Club 486.

Over at Camp John Hay, Nike’s Am squad assembled 547 points and romped over Southwoods’ second unit to complete the sweep. Dave Hernandez and Rufino Bayron blasted the opposition with 37 points apiece. Jessie Balasbas’ 33 and Mario Labajo’s 32 also counted for Nike.

Gino Bunyi tallied 31 markers but no one else from the Southwoods bets could come up with 30 or more. Grizzled campaigners Ramontito Garcia and Jun Jun Plana only managed 29s and youngster Justine Tambunting turned in 27 for the team’s 116 and 483 output.