BAGUIO CITY – With the shootout that is expected at the Baguio Country Club Wednesday between defending champion San Miguel – Northern Cement I and former many time champion Manila Southwoods, EK Amigo is one step closer to defending its Regular Fil G flight of the 67th Fil-Am Golf Invitational Tournament presented by San Miguel after another flight best score Tuesday.
PLDT Baguio manager John Marasigan shot a 27 and lead EK Amigos to 86 for a three day aggregate of 278 and a seven point lead on Square and Compass Golf of Nueva Ecija.
Dan Pangilinan chipped in 26, while Steve Paatan and Rudy Riargo added 19 and 16 respectively to count for the two day leader.
Thanks to the 28 of Efren de Leon and Square & Compass managed an 85 that put them another shot down with 271.
Philex Mines executive Ed Aratas submitted 21 points and lead three others mining officers to a three day output of 264 and third spot.
Miners got a pair of 20s from Ceasar Romualdo and Judeo Chan, while Robert Santos counted with 18 points with just a game remaining in the event backed by Toyota, Petron, Magnolia, SMC Global Power, Northern Cement, San Miguel Lifestyle Brews, Manor at Camp John Hay, Forest Lodge, Empire, CJH Development Corporation, Baguio Country Club, Le Chef,and the CJH Trade and Cultural Center, and Mizuno.
But attention will surely be at the looming showdown between San Miguel and Southwoods eager to go all the way to lift the Fil Championships crown in the seniors division.
San Miguel wrested the lead Monday from overnight leader Southwoods and made it five up leading to the shorter and trickier BCC course.
“We are confident that our players will play well at BCC. We feel that our players,” said Jeric Hechanova of San Miguel.
“The Southwoods players are more familiar with John Hay (unlike) our players who are more familiar with the BCC layout than Southwoods since they have played in past Fil-Ams,” added Hechanova, a former John Hay golf manager.
Hechanova of San Miguel’s Am Championship team is 14 shots down on Dugong Bughaw as they also start their two day journey at the club he once called home.
San Miguel also defends in the Am Championship which Hechanova, who just turned 55 skippers.
Thanks to Chito Laureta who made 35 points after firing a one over 70 Monday, San Miguel wrested the lead from Southwoods which had a four shot lead as games started Monday morning.
Despite slowing down with 88 at the longer John Hay course, Glutamax Men retained the lead in Am G with its 257 total.
Salvador Arcila led the charge with 27, Robert Nazal had a 26, while Joseph Dominic Samson and Paulo Legaspi added 18 and 17, respectively to score for the three day leader.
But Quick Flow Tab Con shut the best score of 97 and cut the lead to only nine with a 248.
Ding Kalinga and Mike Morales found their rhythm at the longer John Hay links for a identical 29 even as Jay Eusebio and Lawie Valles chipped in 20 and 19 to count for the team.
Team Saversmall and Fil-Am Seattle are tied at third with 247 after firing the second flight best of 94 and 90, respectively.
Simon Mangio paced Saversmall with 30, Joel Fronda had 26 while Dennis Antonio and Vivencio Pecson added 20 and 18 for Saversmall.
Bel and Pat Abalde paced the Fil-Ams with 23, while Rolando Munoz and Osca Balangue had a pair of 22 to count for the team.
By Dexter A. See
