Southwoods gun for treble in PAL interclub

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Manila Southwoods sets out for a treble and the longest streak since Canlubang’s five-peat in the late 2000s when it stakes the top plum in the 70th edition of the Philippine Airlines Interclub Men’s Championship beginning tomorrow.

The Carmona-based squad posted a 10-point win fueled by a sizzling fourth-round effort in Clark last year to finally win back-to-back titles after one-year reigns in 1999 and 2005.

But Southwoods will be gunning for a three-peat without its top gunner Justin Quiban, who set a record 10 birdies and five-under par in the final round in the 2016 edition of the annual event before turning pro last year.

Still, the team has enough firepower to get the job done with holdovers led by Japanese teener Yuto Katusrugawa, Ira Alido, Jets Sajulga and Ryan Monsalve joining forces with Kristoffer Arevalo, Aidric Chan, Liam Patrick Cully, Kim Joo Hyung, Carl Corpus, Jay Matthew Reyes and Nestor Plana.

“We’re confident with what we have right now,” Southwoods captain Jerome Delariarte said. “Our team is less experienced compared to last year’s, but certainly more talented.”

Out to put an end to Southwoods’ reign are three former champions – last year’s runner-up Canlubang, Luisita and Del Monte.

Canlubang is fielding in Rupert Zaragoza, Carlo Villaroman, Jan Philippe Declaro, Marco Olives, Luis Miguel Castro, Aniceto Mandanas, Jakey Yulo, Jolo Timothy Magcalayo, Santiago Santos Jr. and Fernando Francisco Zaldarriaga in its bid to regain the title after the end of its five-year dynasty in 2010.

Luisita, third placers in the previous tourney, anchors its campaign for a first men’s title since 1998 on former pro Eddie Bagtas, Jingy Tuason, Luis Miguel Guerrero, Dan Cruz, Alexi Garzon, Josh Jorge, Meynard Ko, Leandro Luis Bagtas, Guilbert Purcia IV and Don Petil.

Del Monte, the 2011 titlist, rounds up the cast in the premier Championship Division with Julius Langamin, Julius Bautista, Mellurence Cubillo, Jelbert Gamolo, Noel Langamin, Rolando Bregente, Raul Minoza, Arnido Callo, Arsenio Mondilla and Jovecio Lusterio Jr. leading the charge.

Meanwhile, Cebu Country Club seeks to repeat as Founders division ruler against the likes of Villamor, Wack-Wack, former Championship division winner Orchard, and 2016 Aviator division titlist Valley Golf, which is competing at the Founders this time.