Maxima/Komatsu nips John Hay via tiebreak

BAGUIO, Philippines – Maxima/Komatsu pooled a final-round score of 125 points and beat Camp John Hay via the tiebreak in a pulsating final day shootout to claim the centerpiece Fil-Championship title in the 60th Fil-Am seniors golf championship here yesterday.

“We fought a good fight and won. It was close,” said Maxima/Komatsu team captain Bayani Fontanilla.

The two teams had identical 449 cards but Maxima/Komatsu won via countback.

Down by three before the round, the eventual winners caught up with the CJH bets on the 34 of Eduardo Sison, 32 of Florene delos Santos, 31 of Antonio Hernandez and 28 of Atoy Sarmiento. Freddie Mendoza didn’t count with a 27.

Jong Won Park and Fred Puckett produced 31 points apiece while Bong Mandapat and Clyde Cabreros chipped in 30 each for Camp John Hay’s 122 card. Eslao had 26.

Maxima/Komatsu went on to win via the tiebreak on the card of its fifth man with Mendoza submitting a 27.

“Luck was on our side,” said Fontanilla on their close win for the team’s fourth championship in a row.

Maxima/Komatsu beat the same rival for the crown last year.

An intact lineup won it for Maxima/Komatsu in this year’s event backed by Wilson, Rudy Project, Gatorade, the Department of Tourism, Golforce, ABW, CJH Manor, Rizgolf, University of Baguio, Le Chef, San Miguel Corp., Coppertone, Philippine Retirement Authority, The Turf Company, Texas Eagle and Beam Global Spirits and Wine.

Over at the Baguio Country Club, CJH won the Am Championship with a closing 80-point card and a four-day aggregate of 368.

The CJH Am team beat ABW by three.

Rudy Lockey and Cha Moon Kyu paced the team with 23 points each, while Bong Jung Yong and Bob Patterson added 17 apiece

Agojo settled for third place with 347 after a closing round of 62.