Cangolf pads lead by 3 in PAL Seniors

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Canlubang padded its lead to three points Saturday after edging defending champion Luisita at the Club Filipino de Cebu course in Danao.

The Sugar Barons failed to stop Eddie Bagtas, but played well enough to bring a three-point lead to the final round at the Mactan Island Golf Club.

Rene Unson, a 61-year-old lawyer businessman, led Canlubang with an eagle-aided 48 points while Dave Hernandez and Luigi Yulo added 47 and 40 points, respectively. Tony Olives did not count with 38.

Unson found the cup from 60 yards on the third hole using a sand wedge for the eagle that gave him 5 Molave points. Otherwise, he had a forgettable round of one pickup and five bogeys.

Bagtas, pressing his bid for the individual crown, shot a two-over par 73 for 52 points, a strong follow-up to his 54 at Mactan Island Golf Club.

However, Bagtas failed to get solid support with Minieng Maravilla emerging as the next best scorer with 43. The third scorer was Bong Sison with 39. Failing to count was Pepot Inigo who had 34.

Canlubang has so far amassed 404 points and is in strong position to nail its eighth seniors’ crown.

Tommy Manotoc will spearhead Canlubang’s final day drive with Rolly Viray, Mari Hechanova and Bing Bunye.

Opposing them will be Luisita’s Francis Gaston, Richie Garcia, Rudy Amata and Inigo

“We have a good chance,” said Unson who has been playing for Canlubang for the last five years.

Cebu Country Club drew 52 points from Ramontito Garcia to occupy third place with 390, 14 points behind Canlubang.

In other divisions, Eagle Ridge paced the Founder’s division with 371, Del Monte was on top of the Sportswriters with 329 while Guam Seals led Friendship with 276.

Hotel H20, Travelife, Boeing International Corp., and GE Aviation are sponsoring the PAL Interclub Seniors and Regular Men’s events. Other backers are Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), People Asia Magazine, Whealth Inc., Aerospace, Uniglobe Travelware Co. Inc., Tanduay Distillers and Intercontinental Manila.