Southwoods eyes strong start in Fil-Am elite class

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Southwoods hopes to come out strong sans its former top scorer as it kicks off its title retention drive in the Fil-Championship division of the Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay Golf Club in Baguio City today.

Aidric Chan, winner of the NGAP’s Northern Luzon Regional tournament recently, teams up with veteran Junjun Plana, Carl Corpus, Paolo Wong and Hyung Kim Joo as they brace for an early shootout with the Mizuno X-1R, Royal Northwoods and Forest Hills aces in the first two days of the centerpiece event at the up-and-down par-69 layout.

The Carmona-based squad, with Yuto Katsuragawa on the firing end, romped with an 88-point win last year but the Japanese ace won’t be around to spearhead their charge again, leaving the cudgels on Chan, Plana, Wong, Carlos and Hyung.

But three teams are raring to foil their bid with Mizuno X-1R coming into the event with a roster beefed up by Rodel Mangulabnan, last week’s seniors Fil Champ winner. Former Southwoods’ mainstay Justin Tambunting is also expected to deliver for Mizuno, which also includes siblings Ace and King Stehmeier and Brixton Aw.

Raymund Sangil, formerly of Mizuno, has moved to the Royal Northwoods side that also features Carlo Villaroman, Richard Joson, Luis Castro and Nik Gatmaytan.

Forest Hills, also a former champion, also looms as a top contender with Inigo Raymundo, Rocky Co, Dan Cruz and Marc Lu bannering the Antipolo-based squad that includes Jude Eustaquio, who teamed up with Tonlits Asistio to win the inaugural National Pro-Am of the Philippine Golf Tour recently.

The final two rounds will be played at the short but tricky Baguio Country Club on Friday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, Gary Sales shot a two-under 67 worth 38 points as Batangas Barakos pooled a 134 and posted an 11-point lead over Team Surigao I in Fil A division at John Hay yesterday.

Sales gunned down four birdies to negate a two-bogey mishap, while Gerald Katigbak added 35 points and Takuya Kawamura and Rudy Amata carded a 32 and 29, respectively, for the Barakos in the six-to-play, four-to-count event backed by San Miguel Corp.