Media golfers edge Kamayan, regain Tito Eduque Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Emy Arcilla scored a net one-under-par 67 on Tuesday and powered Media to a slim two-shot victory over Kamayan Golf Club in the 28th edition of the Triple V-Media Golf Classic at the Aguinaldo Golf Club in Quezon City.

The victory broke the Media golfers’ long losing streak against their archrivals to regain possession of the Tito Eduque Memorial Cup in their annual dual meet. Kamayan won last year’s thrice postponed duel by a whopping 18 strokes.

Arcilla’s feat earned him the individual overall title in the Media side tournament. Going for naught were the net 62 of Kamayan champion Babes Francisco and the net 64 of Kamayan runner-up Ernie Wee. Art Lazatin was third for Kamayan with a 68.

The 18-hole duel between Media and Kamayan Golf Club is traditionally part of the anniversary celebration of the Triple V Group of Restaurants and is named after the late national basketball coach and Triple V chairman Tito Eduque.

Media had a 10-man total of  730 while Kamayan had 732.

Anthony Suntay was Class A champion for Media with 68, beating runner-up Jun Engracia (70) and third placer Ding Marcelo (72). Teddyvic Melendres led a Philippine Daily Inquirer sweep of Class B with a 68 with Nilo Paurom (78), last year’s overall Media champion, beating Ernie Gonzales (68) by countback. Al Mendoza took the Class C title with a 72 while Corrie Narisma (79) grabbed second and Noel Velasco (84) took third.

Jonas Lopez captured the Guest division title with a 69, beating Edmond Datuin (69), by countback. Alan Crisostomo was third with a 70.

Rounding up Kamayan’s top 10 were Rory del Castillo (70), Arnold Segundo (75), Mingging Ortiz (76), Rene Ligon (76), Dave Brodett (78), Bart Puzon (80) and Jaime Lopez (83).

The Media scorers were Arcilla, Suntay, Melendres, Engracia, Marcelo, Mendoza, Rey Bancod (78), Paurom, Gonzales and Narisma.

Fun awards went to Babes Francisco (early bird and best dressed golfer), Mingging Ortiz (most accurate drive), Danny Limjap (nearest the pin on No. 8), and Alan Crisostomo (nearest the pin on No.11 and most number of pars and birdies).