Southwoods pulls away from Mizuno

BAGUIO , Philippines  – Manila Southwoods assembled 120 points for a two-day haul of 241 for a 19-point lead over Mizuno halfway through the Fil Championship of the 60th Fil-Am golf tournament at the Baguio Country Club here yesterday.

Veterans Jun Jun Plana and Vince Lauron continued to dish out fine form as they carded 33 points apiece, which is equivalent to three-over 64 at the tricky par-61 layout, to lead the Carmona-based squad’s second day charge.

With Plana and Lauron providing the experience and leadership, Miggy Yee, 13, and Wolen Superal, 16, played with spunk and grit as they fired 28 and 26 points, respectively, to count for the team in the five-to-play, four-to-count format event.

Chepe Dulay, 17, didn’t count with a 22.

“We have to lead these young ones,” said the 42-year-old Plana.

Mizuno, with Rodel Mangaluban firing 32 points, finally found its rhythm after a mediocre opening round as it pooled a 119 for a 222 aggregate.

King Stehmeier and Justin Limjap each had 31 points while John Baron Garcia chipped in 25 points.

“It was a big improvement from yesterday. But we have to do the same plan, that is, taking it one day at a time,” said Mizuno team manager Lovell Gopez.

Action shifts to the nearby Camp John Hay, a par-69 layout which poses a different kind of challenge to the competing field with Mizuno hopeful of making a big comeback to contend for the crown.

Forest Hill drew 34 points from Ronnie Littaua but it struggled with a 109 and dropped from second to third with a 217. Peter Young made a 29 while Migs Garcia and Rodolfo Villa tossed in 24 and 22 points, respectively. Edgar Lee had 19 and failed to count.

Camp Aguinaldo fell to fourth spot after a disappointing 98 for a 206 total.

Meanwhile, Aguinaldo struggled with a 90-point output at the BCC course and saw its lead cut to five by a charging Team Che’lus heading into the final round of the Am-A division.

Team Che’lus rallied with 95 for a 308 to close in on Aguinaldo, which had a 313 total.

Jesse Quenga and John Quinata shot 26 points each while Daryl Poe and Eddie Castro had 23 and 20 points, respectively, for the Guamanians.

Antonio dela Cruz led Aguinaldo’s bid with 25 points, while Felix Pascual, Antonio Bautista and Raul Gonzales added 23, 22 and 20 points, respectively, as the team slowed down after scoring 112 and 111 points at John Hay in the first two days.

Baguio Country Club, with Euls Austin leading the way with 26 points, had an 87 for a 292.

In Am B, Ed Montenegro shot 23 points to Baguio Centennial I to a 73-point production for an aggregate 267 for a whopping 27-point lead over Capitol Hills Golf and Country Club, which had a 240 after a 69.

Dugong Bughaw remained in third with a 238 after a so-so 61.

The annual event is 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. – Artemio Dumlao