Del Monte hikes Interclub lead to 12

BUKIDNON, Philippines  – In a keenly awaited stint, Clyde Mondilla made quite an impression with 37 points on a rainy day here and Del Monte made an impact with a 138 for a 412, racing away with a big 12-point lead over Canlubang and Cebu Country Club in the PAL Men’s Interclub championship at the Del Monte Golf Club yesterday.

It was moving time indeed for the hosts, who took a shaky one-point edge over defending champion Canlubang in the second round at Pueblo de Oro layout Thursday and outgunned their rivals in driving rain.

Mondilla, 17, lived up to the hype, hitting three birdies on his way home as he turned a one-over card into a one-under par at the heavily wooded layout.

With Julius Bautista mixing an eagle and two birdies against four bogeys to match par worth 36 points, and Mark Mondilla and Magno Arancon Jr. adding a 33 and 32, respectively, Del Monte stood 12 points clear of its two rivals with a 412 aggregate, moving 18 holes away from bagging their second Interclub championship.

Canlubang, winner of the last five editions of the event but whose once formidable roster was hit by the new cap on handicap this year, struggled with a 127 for a 400 as Joey Huerva, solid with a one-under 37 points at Pueblo the other day, hobbled with a 33 that stood as the team’s best score under tough condition.

But 13-year-old Gabriel Manotoc showed a lot of promise as he turned in 32 points, four-over, to match Art Arbole’s output while veteran Abe Rosal added a 30 and Dave Hernandez failed to count with a 29.

Cebu Country Club, the surprise first round leader here, had not much of a surprise to offer this time although its 131 tied it up with Canlubang at 400 as Gio Gandionco fired an even par round worth 36, Lloyd Go carded 35 points, Mark Dy scored a 33 and either the 27 of Eric Deen or Chuckie Hong counted for the team.

“I think we have an excellent chance of winning,” said Del Monte playing team captain Yoyong Velez, whose second man in the roster Mel Cubillio didn’t count with a 28. “Our lead is substantial considering that we have a balanced team tomorrow (today).”

Mondilla, the reigning national champion, will again spearhead Del Monte’s final round charge at the up-and-down Pueblo layout where he is expected to crowd teammate Banny Abano for the top individual honors. Abano leads the race with a three-under total worth 75 points from a 38 at Del Monte and a 37 at Pueblo.

Backing up Mondilla are Leonardo Lofranco and Vince Lusterio, who shot 36 and 35 at Pueblo in the second round, Noel Langgamin, who yielded two points on an infraction Thursday, and Velez.

“All we need to do is play the way we have played the past three days and we’re okay,” said Velez.

Canlubang, facing another failed sweep bid of the event after Luisita won the seniors title last year, must hope Jobim Carlos will better his 37-point output in the second round and Mig Ochoa and Rupert Zaragosa will outdo themselves and veterans Rolly Viray and Hernandez will flash vintage form.

Otherwise, Del Monte is on its way to nailing a repeat win as host of the Interclub after repulsing Manila Southwoods for the 2004 plum.

“Anything can still happen,” said Cangolf non-playing team captain Luigi Yulo. “We might shoot the lights out tomorrow (today) who knows. We’re not throwing away anything. Fight lang kami.”

Pueblo should pose not much of a problem for Mondilla and company with its relatively wide fairways unlike that of Del Monte although premium will be on iron game and putting with Pueblo’s sleek greens tipped to challenge the title contenders. Del Monte and Canlubang matched 141 outputs in Thursday’s second round action.

Alabang, led by Rocco Sumabat’s 30 and Jama Reyes’ 28 points, also moved closer to the Founders Division crown as it assembled a 110 for a 362 and nine-point lead over Orchard which had a 353 after a 118 as Phil Kyu Cho shot a 33 and Nap Marigomen added a 30. Riviera, led by James Wang’s 36 points, pooled a 113 and took third with a 345.

In Sportswriters Division, also at Del Monte, Camp Evangelista sputtered with an 87 for a 300 and barely hung on to a one-point lead over a charging Red Hawk, which pooled a 97 for a 299 in a tie with Zamboanga Golf which posted a 99. Sherwood Hills struggled with its second straight 95 for a 295 for fifth. Eagle Ridge moved up to fourth with a 298 after turning in the day’s best of 110.

PGA BC, meanwhile, pulled away from UP Tee Jots and South Cotabato in Friendship play as it pooled a 269 after a 93, 19 points clear off UP and South Cotabato, which both had 75s for 250s.

This year’s competition is backed by platinum sponsors Boeing, Airbus, Radio Mindanao Network, Business Mirror and Interactive Broadcast Media (DWWW). Major sponsors are People Asia, 105.1 Crossover, GE Aviation, Asia Brewery Inc. and Traversing the Orient.

Also lending support are corporate sponsors Manila Bulletin and Bombo Radyo Philippines, while minor sponsors are Lufthansa Technik Philippines, MasterCard and Century Park Hotel. Prize donors include Panasonic Avionics and Tanduay.

More detailed information on the tournament is available on the dedicated PAL Interclub webpage at www.palinterclub.com.