Luisita storms to 6-point edge vs Cebu

DAVAO, Philippines – Luisita took its sweet time at the soggy Apo layout yesterday and towed the field after the opening day of the Philippine Airlines Interclub seniors golf tournament here.

Behind Mining Maravilla’s 51 points, the Luisitans got off to a good start, and with a 147 total will enjoy a six-point lead over Cebu Country Club entering the second round at Palos Verdes.

Canlubang, the defending champion, also drew the attention with its sub-par performance, probably its worst opening round in recent years. At 135, the Sugar Barons are 12 points off the pace.

But Luisita skipper Iggy Clavecilla, who did not play the opening round but was all over the clubhouse holding on to his driver, said a 12-point lead over Canlubang is not reason to celebrate.

“Canlubang isn’t finished yet. Mayayabang yan (They’re full of swagger). It will bounce back,” said Clavecilla who also drew 49 points from Richie Garcia and 47 from Seve Roxas Chua.

Rudy Mata’s 45 did not count for Luisita. But it would have scored if he were playing for Canlubang which drew 47s from Mari Hechanova and Dave Hernandez, 41 from Tony Olives.

“It’s still a lot of golf,” said Olives, recalling how Canlubang came back from a similar deficit to win the title. He said they did it in Cagayan de Oro but just couldn’t recall when.

Cebu Country Club carded 141 points in the four-to-play, three-to-count event. Montito Garcia beat them all with his 53 points, followed by Matsasugu Ochiat and Anton Florendo’s 44.

After days of inclement weather, the sun was out yesterday, and if it holds, then the Apo layout should dry up in time for Sunday’s final round. The winter rule was in effect yesterday.

Action in the championship division shifts to the shorter but not necessarily easier Palos Verdes course for the second and third rounds, according to tournament director Buddy Resurreccion.

For the men’s tournament scheduled Feb. 22-25, it will be Palos-Apo-Palos- Apo.

Garcia, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, went five-over, good for 49 points, despite the absence of a practice round at the Apo course.

“The last time I played here was during the last PAL Interclub here (2009). I was blind out there. And it was good to have an excellent caddy. I managed to stay out of trouble,” he said.

The second round is expected to be fiercer than the first because Canlubang will go for broke. Tommy Manotoc and Rolly Viray will be on the roller-coaster course.

But Luisita will not lower its guard as well and may field Francis Gaston, Pepot Inigo or Clavecilla all at the same time. If it holds on today, then half the job is done for the Tarlac-based team.

In the Founder class, Apo Golf Club fired 142 points and led Philippine Navy by eight points. In third was Mactan Island with 130.

Fil-Am Hawaii grabbed a one-point lead over defending champion Chamorro in the Sportswriters division after scoring 124 points at Apo.

Scoring for Fil-Am Hawaii were Billy Galindo (44), Jesse Magaday (41) and Willie Calliedo (39). Lanang was running third with 122 points.

Over at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club, Club Intramuros posted 113 points to take a nine-point lead over Brotherhood Sharp in the Friendship class. South Cotabato was in third place with 101 followed by Southbay with 100.

The 65th PAL Interclub is sponsored by Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media and Media Five; while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus.

The results:

Founders – Apo 142, Navy 134, Mactan Island 130, Eagle Ridge 129, Palos Verdes 129, Manila Golf 128, Riviera126, Villamor 125, Camp Evangelista 124, Del Monte 122, Redhawk 121, Negros 120, Team Coral Ocean Point 117, Valley 115, Manila Southwoods 114, Wack Wack 114, San Juanico 113, Bayanihan 98, Birdiehunters 81.

Friendship – Club Intramuros 113, Brotherhood Sharp 104, South Cotabato 101, Southbay 100, Fil-Am SFO 98, Travelers 95, Taotaomona Guam 91, Leyte 89, Skywest 88, Mt. Malindang 87, Mabuhay SFO 86,

Fil-Am Florida 85, SFO Alliance 81, Bay Area 79, Fort Bonifacio 77, Guam Seniors 76, Mabuhay Las Vegas 75, Par Breakers 70, MSU 69.

Sportswriters – Fil-Am Hawaii 124, Chamorro 123, Lanang 122, Maharlika 116, Davao 110, PGA British Columbia 105, Veterans 105, Brookside 105, Vancouver 104, Saranggani 102, Iloilo 102, SF Peninsula 101, Sienna Plantation 100, Zamboanga 97, Victorias 96, Guam Seals 95, SFO Crystal Springs 95, Lumbia 91, UP Tee Jots 90, Forest Hills 88, Iligan 88, Texas Golf 85, Paoay 77, Winners Circle 73.