Pugad catches Megafiber on Puckett’s heroics

BAGUIO, Philippines – Fred Puckett fired 35 points as Pugo Adventure pooled a 118 to tie defending champion Megafiber in the lead in the second round of seniors action in the Fil Championship of the 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay here yesterday.

Puckett’s one over par 70 effort in stroke play and Pugad’s 118 hiked their total to 234 after 36 holes as the Megafiber squad slowed down with a 112 after a solid 122 in the opening round Sunday.

Retired Police Gen. and Pugad owner Eugene Martin backed Puckett with 31 points while Goodie Ignacio shot a 27 and Park Jon Won chipped in 27 and 25 points, respectively.

Mari Hechanova and Rene Unson turned in a pair of 29s while Tony Olives, Bong Vilchez and Albert Garcia carded identical 27s, one of which did not count in the five-to-play, four-to-count tournament also sponsored by Toyota.

“We’re just lucky,” said Martin in downplaying their surge even as he braced for a spirited duel with the titleholders when action shifts to the shorter but trickier Baguio Country Club tomorrow.

“It will be anybody’s game at BCC. It’s a tough course and requires precision,” said the former Cordillera police director.

Vidal Querol had 30 points, Luis Laureta made a 29, Arnold Duay added a 28 and former Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III tossed in a 26 as Nueva Ecija Seniors assembled a 114 for a 227 to remain at third spot while Manila Southwoods struggled with a 108 for a 218.     

Manila Southwoods, with Masakazu Saso shooting a 27, remained on top of the Am Championship despite an 87 for a 178, six ahead of Forest Hills.

Philippine Navy shot a 93 to move to third with a 169.

Meanwhile, Ferdie Abitan of the Congressman’s team, using a Nike 9-iron and Nike No. 1 ball, scored a hole-in-one at BCC’s No. 7, the fourth ace in three days at the 123-yard hole.

Others who made an ace were Denn Reed Tuvera of Intramuros Golfers Club, Rick Murray of Autocamp and Tony Medrozo of Fil-Am Golf of Florida.

Abitan went on to finish with 19 points as his team pooled a 91 for a 175 to seize the lead in Am F, two ahead of Waterlympics Clark. Romy Aquino led the charge with 25 points while Jan Jan Dacawi had a 24 and Inoc Laranang came up with a 21.

Waterlympics made 88 for a 173 while overnight leader Saver’s Mall fell to third after an 82 for a 170.