Luisitans pull away by 15 points

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Luisita practically matched Canlubang’s torrid scoring at Rancho Palos Verdes, coming away with a 159 to extend its lead to 15 points over Del Monte halfway through the 31st Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships here yesterday.

After banking on its two recruits to seize the opening round lead at Apo, Luisita called on veteran Eddie Bagtas to spearhead the charge with 56 points, spiked by five birdies against three bogeys, with Raffy Garcia and Edmund Yee backing him up with 54 and 49 points, respectively.

With Del Monte, which started the day just two points off Luisita, turning in a mediocre 146-289, the Tarlac-based squad stormed to a 15-point bulge with 304.

But the defending champion Canlubang produced a stirring 162 to move to third at 286, still 18 points off the two-day leader.

Eagle Ridge scored a 137 and dropped to fourth at 268.

But the day’s best score belonged to Cangolf’s Rolly Viray, who produced a career-high 58 points, marked by four birdies.

“Nakuha sa kanin at hotdog,” said the 67-year-old Viray in jest.

Viray, flashing superb form around the greens, made only 24 putts to complete a bogey-free round.

With Abe Rosal scoring a 53 and Abe Avena adding a 51, the Sugar Barons returned with an impressive 162 points, 38 points better than their output at Apo Wednesday.

But Luisita proved up to the challenge with Bagtas, Garcia and Edmund Yee putting the team way ahead of the pack heading to the last 36 holes.

“We’re happy with what we have achieved so far,” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova. “We’re not taking any team for granted, but if we go into the final day with a 12-point lead, it would be very hard to overcome.”

Hechanova said he expects Canlubang to field a strong team in the penultimate round today in a bid to close in on the leader.

Last year in Clark, Angeles, the Sugar Barons fought back from 12-points down in the third round and went on to snare their ninth championship.

Del Monte failed to keep pace with Luisita and Canlubang, tallying 146 points on Raul Miñoza’s 52 and the pair of 47s by Yoyong Velez and Callo Arnido.

Eagle Ridge drew 51 points from Antonio Mendoza, 46 from Youn Hwan An and 40 from Cesar Castro.

Meanwhile, a four-way battle shaped up in the Founders division halfway through the event.

Orchard led Cebu Country Club by a single point with Davao City Golf and Pueblo de Oro within seven points off the leader.

Orchard scored 130 points at Apo Golf and Country Club for a two-day total of 268 points.

Scoring for Orchard were Louie Garcia 44, Chito Servida 43 and Luis Sajorda 43.

Ramontito Garcia fired 51 points to lead CCC which collected 137 points for 269. Other scorers were Matsugo Ochiai 44 and Nonoy Tirol 42.

Davao City Golf was in third spot with 262 while Pueblo de Oro was fourth with 261.

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.