Young aces spearhead Southwoods hot start

BAGUIO, Philippines — Manila Southwoods’ title defense in the Fil-Championship started on the right track as its young guns turned in scores expected of them in the opening round at Camp John Hay Golf Club.

Gab Manotoc and Carl Corpuz each made a three-under 66 worth 39 points to lead Southwoods’ scoring binge. Jeff Jung accounted for 37 and Aidric Chan added 33 for a whopping 148 points.

Forest Hills amassed 129 points on the 39 of Rocky Co, 32 of jungolfer Edison Tabalin, 30 of Jose Rodelio Mangulabnan and 28 of Augusto Pacheco.

Januarius Golf Team was a surprise third, so far, with 121 points. Terence Macatangay spearheaded the attack with 35 markers.  Other scorers were Kirby Lachica 33, Ray Sangil 31 and RJ Rizada 22.

SPES Team 1 (116), Time Cargo Logistics 1 (110) and X1R-TipsyPig-Mizuno (107) rounded out the teams in the premier division of the world’s largest amateur tournament.

In the Am-Championship, Manila Southwoods’ second unit was also up with 119, way ahead of Royal Northwoods (103) and Riviera-Batangas Barakos (95).

Time Cargo Logistics Team-2 maintained Am-A leadership following a 92-point performance at the Baguio Country Club course although its lead was sliced to two by a surging Forest Hills.

Joseph Tambunting starred for Time Cargo with 26 markers. Renie Floro and David Guangko produced 23 and 22, respectively, while Rusty Bayani added 21 that hiked the team’s two-day output to 182 points.

Forest Hills, led by the 29 of its general manager Raymond Bunquin, came through with a second consecutive 96 to grab second place with 180. Ronnie Littaua had 27, Edgar Lee made 24 and JB Gosiaco contributed 16.