Luisita wrests 2-pt lead in PAL Seniors

DAVAO, Philippines – Luisita drew big games from its two recruits to pool a 145 and seize a two-point lead over Del Monte as defending champion Canlubang floundered at the start of the 31st Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships here yesterday.

Rodel Mangulabnan made an auspicious seniors debut for Luisita with 50 points, one of only three players who scored in the 50s under preferred-lie rule at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

Mangulabnan hit two birdies against six bogeys while fellow new player Chito Laureta added 48 and Jingy Tuason chipped in 47 markers as 15-time champion Luisita pooled 145 points. Allan Alegre did not count with 45 points.

“We kind of expected to lead, but we didn’t expect the high scores,” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova.

Del Monte, made up of former pros and caddies, emerged as the early challenger, assembling a 143 behind Archie Mondilla’s 50 points.

Mondilla is the father of top pro Clyde Mondilla.

The Bukidnon-based squad also drew 48 points from last year’s individual champion Virgilio Adag and 45 from Ernesto Apas with Romeo Bautista out of the scoring column with 39.

But while Luisita lived up to the hype and Del Monte pressed its bid early, last year’s winner Canlubang struggled with a 124 and dropped to fourth, 21 points behind Luisita.

Eagle Ridge, drawing 51 points from Korean Tong Wha Lee, took third spot with 131. Other scorers were Koreans Jie Sik Oh (41) and Seong Song (39).

Despite the big deficit, Canlubang skipper Tony OIives still believes his wards can still mount a comeback.

“There are plenty of golf to be played, but we need to start reducing the lead tomorrow (today) at Rancho Palos Verdes,” said Olives.

In what could go down as its worst opening round, Canlubang got 43 from Damas Wong, 41 from Dave Hernandez and 40 from Mari Hechanova.

“It was a humbling experience,” said many-time Spanish champion Mike Preysler who did not count for Canlubang with 35 points.

The 70th PAL Interclub Platinum sponsors are Mareco Broadcasting Network, A&E Networks Asia, RMN Networks, The Manila Standard, Fox Networks Group, Rolls-Royce, TV5, MasterCard, TFC and Business Mirror.

Major sponsors include Asian Air Safari, Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Sabre Airline Solutions while Corporate sponsors are Baron Travel Corporation, Boeing, MX3, GE Aviation, Bombo Radyo Philippines, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distillers, Sabre Airline Solutions and Tourism Promotions Board. 

The donors are Shangri-La at The Fort, Trinity Insurance and Eton Properties.