Canlubang storms ahead by 4

MANILA, Philippines — Canlubang used a strong start to cushion the impact of a faltering finish and Luisita’s late charge, holding on to a four-point lead halfway through the PAL Seniors Interclub at the Bacolod Golf Club in Bacolod City yesterday.

Tied with the defending champions at 139 after 18 holes of play at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club Wednesday, the Sugar Barons rode on Rolly Viray’s impressive even-par game after 10 holes to post leads of as many as 14 points counting all the players at the turn. But Viray lost his momentum and fumbled with a double-bogey on No. 11 and dropped three strokes in the next five holes before holing out with a birdie-bogey card for 49 Molave points.

Rene Unson proved to be a key last-minute replacement, putting in 48 points he preserved with six straight pars to close out his round and deliver in the final foursome while Abe Avena added 45 markers for Cangolf, which pooled a 142 for a 36-hole aggregate of 281.

“Whenever you’re ahead, you should be happy,” said Canlubang captain Tony Olives. “It’s been a long time since we led in the first two rounds.”

Raffy Garcia closed out with an even-par game in the last nine holes to lead the Luisitans with 50 points while Benjie Sumulong, trounced by Viray by nine points at the frontside, struck back in the last nine holes and gunned down three birdies to save 46 points.