BAGUIO CITY December 04 – The game is now a showdown between Luisita Golf & Country Club and Manila Southwoods in the premier Fil Championship flight of the 68th Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament as a former pro was shooting his best at the short and tricky Baguio Country Club course that saw the lead cut to only a stroke today (Dec 4).
Although overshadowed by an ace of a retired general in a designated hole for a brand new car, Raul Minoza continues to wax and came home with a one over 62 for 35 points as Southwoods submitted the best total of 118 and 234. The Carmona, Cavite parbusters are just a point off Luisita, which actually gained a point on day one with Bong Sison’s score cut to 29 after a 30 that was previously counted.
Jingy Tuazon led Luisita with his second straight 31, even as former pro Eddie Bagtas and Ondoy Mondilla submitted a pair of 28 and Rodel Mangalubnan counted with a 27 for the team’s 114 and 235 aggregate.
But the heroics of Minoza, nephew of the Filipino golf legend Frankie Minoza, was the answer to Sounthwoods prayer and a very manageable deficit going to the team’s home away from home, John Hay, a sister company.
Sang Jon Lee chipped in 30, Sison and Judd Roy counted with a 29 and 24, respectively, even as Kui Sun Moon failed to count anew despite improving to 24 from an earlier horrendous 14.
Megafiber improved to 106 points but will surely be the spectator in the showdown that will unfold after a Tuesday break with its 207 total, 28 off the leader.
Retired police general Elmer Soria comes to back to the place he served as a police officer in a warm embrace as he goes home with what could be the biggest prize of the tournament – a brand new Toyota Altis.
It was an ace at the par 3, 165 yards, hole 10 using a 6 Yamaha iron and Titleist 7 Pro-V golf ball, the former deputy director of Police Regional Office – Cordillera and director of PRO -8 aced to win the brand new car.
Bagtas though remains confident that his team will survive the surging Southwoods going to the longer CJH course. For one, the Luisita players are all long hitters. Second, he will play much better since he can already use a golf cart. The subject of joke from Tuazon for scoring badly in day one whe he was supposed to be the team’s best weapon, Bagtas claim to have a bad right foot. “Masakit,” exclaimed the former pro.
While the Fil team struggle, Luisita’s Am squad see their four stroke lead increase to nine. Raffy Garcia submitted 31 points to lead Luisita to 117 and a 237 two day total as they start to pull away from host CJH.
Benjie Sumulong and Alan Alegre submitted a similar 29, while Denis Canoy added 28, even as team captain Jeric Hechanova did not count with his 23.
Jung Sek Jun led CJH with 30, Goody Ignacio made 29, while Fred Puckett and Park Jong Won each made 27 points for the team’s 112 and 228 and a nine point lead and third ranked Baguio City Golf Team.
Former Baguio City Police chief and PRO-COR director Villamor Bumanglag topscored for Team Baguio with 31, retired PRO – I director Clyde Cabreros had 30 points, mayor Mauricio Domogan submitted 29, while Romy Tio came in with a 26 for the team’s 219. Team Baguio is now a stroke ahead of erstwhile co-joint third Dugong Bughaw which made 114 and 218 aggregate.
Carlos Ventura scored 22 points as Team City of Vallejo assembled 80 points and their lead increase to 13 from three on opening day in Seniors Fil C. Vallejo has 155 points, Bibak New York/New Jersey has 142 after a 70, just a point of overnight leaderTeam Mcder (79, 62).
Tom Vargas made 25 points and Golf F Veterans made flight best 89 to assume command of Seniors Am C with 168 and a three shot lead on overnight leader Macquarie Links Australia. Apo Golfers Alpha is a distant third with 146 after a 67.
By Dexter A. See
