Fired-up Canlubang pulls away by 10

DAVAO , Philippines – Canlubang will carry a 10-point lead and all the momentum it needs against newcomer The Country Club when it shoots for the 62nd PAL Interclub men’s golf crown today at the challenging and rain-soaked Apo layout here.

Unless the TCC crew works a miracle of sorts, Canlubang will wrap up its 16th overall crown in this fabled tournament and eighth since 2000. Also in store is a fourth straight double championship for Canlubang following the victory of its seniors team last week.

But Canlubang skipper Luigi Yulo insists that it’s not yet in the bag.

“Anything can still happen,” he said, knowing that a couple of disastrous rounds under the five-to-play-four-to-count format could turn things around – especially on the final day.

“We have more chances now but the ball is round,” he added.

Cangolf pooled a 145 for a three-day haul of 410, 10 points ahead of TCC, fancied to foil its rival’s bid for history but must now come up with a miracle to overhaul a big lead after a 137 and a 400.

Joseph Labajo (39), Jessie Balasabas (38), Alvin Engino (36) and Mario Labajo (32) were too good for second stringers, holding off TCC’s Tonlits Asistio (39), Joey Huerva (33), Dante Becierra (33) and Anthony Fernando, down to 32 from 40 on the first day, at the Palos Verdes layout.

Labajo had five birdies, two bogeys and a lot of pars on the day marred by a heavy downpour in the afternoon, just when the players were in the thick of the fight. Balasabas had four birdies and two bogeys in a round that helped Canlubang pad its lead.

Fernando was a disappointment for TCC. He must have tried too hard matching his output last Wednesday, so far the best this year. He opened with a birdie on the 10th and 12th holes, but got into serious trouble on the 16th where he picked up after three putts from 24 feet.

Fernando had another pick-up on No. 1 after an errant drive. In all, he had three birdies, three bogeys and two pick-ups, and TCC, down by only two points at the start of the day, found itself staring at a 10-point deficit heading home.

Yulo said it wasn’t really a big gamble on their part, fielding the lineup, and opting to go for the strongest one composed of Tommy Manotoc, Jonel Ababa, Mark Fernando, Dave Hernandez and Sunnyboy Gialon for today’s final round.

“We were only trying to match the score of TCC today and we ended up padding our lead. That was a big bonus for us,” said the Canlubang team captain.

Freddie Mendoza, TCC team captain, is still hoping for the best.

“We haven’t played our good game and hopefully it will come on the last day,” he said, counting on local boys Ferdie Aunzo, Rufino Bayron and Peter Villaber, JR Tanpinco and Art Arbole.

“Because of what happened there is no recourse but to take our gambles. Hindi pwede play safe, play safe (We can’t play it safe all day),” said Mendoza.

Still, he hoped that his charges won’t be too reckless.

“Hindi din bara-bara but sensible charging,” he said.

Del Monte is third so far away at 370 (131) followed by Manila Southwoods at 367 (129), Manila Golf at 304 (114) and Team Brookside at 292 (87).

Creating his own ripples for the day was Team LA’s David Capistrano who aced the 170-yard 11th hole of the Apo layout using a Callaway 7-iron. He won for himself a round-trip, business-class ticket courtesy of PAL, which he could use for the 63rd staging of the event next year.

It was the second hole-in-one in this PAL event after Rene Silos of Negros aced Apo’s No. 4 during the seniors tournament. On top of the plane ticket from PAL, also business class, he also won a Honda motorcycle.

In the Sportswriters division, Mactan moved one day away from the title, firing 108 points for a 324 total and an insurmountable lead over Apo Golf Club which had a 93 for a 294 total. Running third was Camp John Jay at 288, followed by Sherwood Hills at 280 and Camp Evangelista at 276.

Jomar Nunez helped Mactan pull away for good by scoring 30 points. Others who scored were Andot Mondares (27), Bert Calan (26) and Roy Dula (25). Counting for Apo Golf at Palos Verdes were Tebor Marcelino (26), Peter Pineda (25), Ting Castillo (22) and Jong Tan (20).

In the Friendship division, reduced to 54 holes after a rained-out second round, Eagle Ridge took control after 99 points for a 191 total. Philippine Navy is very much in the fight after an 80 for 186. Next were South Cotabato (96-177), Club Filipino (94-173) and Iloilo (95-167).