Luisita nears 16th Srs title

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Luisita held off Del Monte, 151-152, and moved 18 holes away from nailing its 16th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub crown at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club here yesterday.

Benjie Sumulong and rookie Chito Laureta each carded 51 points while Raffy Garcia added 49 for Luisita, which opted to sit out its top guns for today’s finale.

Del Monte nipped Luisita by one but still faced a formidable task of overcoming a big deficit at the Apo Golf and Country Club.

After three rounds, Luisita pooled a 455, 14 points clear of Del Monte, which assembled a 441 while defending champion Canlubang failed to sustain its hot second round charge and shot a 147 for a 433. Eagle Ridge remained at fourth at 411 after a 143.

“We went to our steady players today (yesterday) so that we have a strong team tomorrow (today),” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova.

Veteran Eddie Bagtas, Rodel Mangulabnan, Jingy Tuason and Alan Alegre as Luisita’s anchor today.

“It will be very hard for Del Monte to get five points from each of our three players so we are very confident,” Hechanova added.

Raul Miñoza, a former pro and younger brother of Frankie, led Del Monte with 53 points while Yoyong Velez and Titing Callo chipped in 50 and 49, respectively.

A day after posting 162 points, defending champion Canlubang faded with 147 points and found itself staring at a 22-point deficit.

Abe Avena, playing for the second straight day, carded 52 points, but got little support from his teammates.

Spain-based Mike Preysler added 49 and Mari Hechanova settled for 46 for Canlubang.

Eagle Ridge remained in fourth spot following a 143. Scorers were Seong Song 52, Tong Wha Lee 46 and Jie Sik Oh 45.

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.