Luisita erects 6-point edge

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  – Iggy Clavecilla has done his share for Luisita. Now it’s time for his teammates to do theirs.

Clavecilla delivered 48 points at the wind-swept Binitin course yesterday then flew home to Manila, and left his team sitting on a six-point lead over reigning champion and fierce rival Canlubang.

Clavecilla, who arrived only the other day, had to leave the tournament due to the recent death of his mother-in-law. Now he can only hope that his teammates can hold on and win the seniors crown of this PAL Interclub.

“I have utmost faith in my teammates that they can bring home the bacon,” said Clavecilla, who had 45 points the other day in the other course, Marapara. A player can only play two rounds here.

Ritchie Garcia, who plays for Luisita even if he’s from Bacolod, actually provided the big numbers for the team. He had 50 points on one birdie, a dozen pars and five bogeys to give Luisita a 146 and a two-day 275.

Also scoring for Luisita on yet another hot and windy day were Bong Sison with his 48. Carlo Gamban, former mayor in nearby Silay, did not count with his 45.

Francis Gaston, a steady hand for Luisita, will come in fresh for the last two rounds.

Canlubang, seeking a fifth straight PAL seniors crown, was tied with Luisita at 129 after the first round but fell six points behind after the 140 of Dave Hernandez (51), Luigi Yulo (45) and Rolly Viray (44) for 140. Tony Olives’ 42 did not count.

The Sugar Barons will have a lot to think about before they call it a day, whether or not they should field their best for today’s third round, also at Binitin, or save them for last, tomorrow at Marapara.

Whatever they decide on, the Sugar Barons cannot allow Luisita to pad the six-point lead heading into the final round of the four-to-play, three-to-count event that offers two points for a bogey, three for par and so on.

Tommy Manotoc, the three-time individual champion and Canlubang’s heart and soul, was out of sight yesterday. He had a 45 in the first round and might end up flipping the coin whether he’d play in the third or fourth round.

Garcia said six points is not a safe lead under the PAL scoring system. And he’s talking from experience because last year, Luisita led Canlubang by 18 points after the first round only to finish second.

“Six points is nothing. Still, if we can keep the lead or even increase it tomorrow, we will have a better chance,” said Garcia who likened the Binitin course to a “bowling alley” for its narrow fairways.

Garcia’s 50 points, under medal play, is good for a four-over-par 74 at Binitin.

Luisita, of Tarlac, is the winningest team in the seniors event with 13 but has never won since 2005. Canlubang has won both the regular and seniors titles the last four years, but could be in danger of missing out this year.

Valley Golf Club made some noise with its 139 points at Marapara to grab the lead in the Founder’s division.

Cris San Agustin had 50 points as Valley took a two-point lead over Eagle Ridge. Other Valley scorers were Romy Ricardo (46) and either Bong Vilchez and Boni Sumbilla who had identical 43s.

After two rounds, Valley has a total of 265 points. Eagle Ridge posted 131 points to be in second at 263. The scorers were Mario Lubay and Korean Ryoo Si Kun who each had 44 points and An Hyan Hwon who added 43.

Orchard, the surprise first round overall leader, slowed down with its 125 points to trail Valley by four points.

The event is presented by platinum sponsors Airbus, Boeing, 105.1 Crossover and Radio Mindanao Network. Major sponsors are Action Asia, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines, People Asia and Royal Caribbean.

The corporate backers are Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, www.philstar.com, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network and Resort World Manila. Century Park Hotel, DWWW 774 AM, Panay News, Master Card and Thales Aerospace are minor patrons.