Team glory over individual honor for sugar barons
BACOLOD CITY—After playing in the first round at Marapara, Canlubang ace Abe Rosal knew right away that despite playing splendidly he had kissed goodbye his repeat bid in individual play in the PAL Seniors Interclub.
“It’s never been about individualism in our team,” Rosal told the Inquirer after playing the final day, also at the same tree-lined layout, and completing a spearheading job he was tasked to do to lead the Sugar Barons to their 10th title overall.
Only players who see action on both courses are eligible to win the overall title, which Del Monte’s Yoyong Velez did after playing in the third round at Binitin and the final day at Marapara to tally 100 points, eight-over par in medal play.
Rosal also scored a total of 100—going 50 points each in the first and last days—and would have joined a small list of players ever to repeat.
“And I’d be more than willing to do it again for the sake of this team,” he added in the din of the celebration after the Barons completed the upset win over Luisita.
The Barons said they got a break in what they thought was an error in fielding by the Luisitans in the third round at Binitin, where Canlubang opened up a seven-point lead.
“I thought the tournament was won there,” said non-playing skipper and team owner Luigi Yulo. “I honestly thought that they would be playing two balanced teams [in the last two days] like we did, but they opted for their strongest lineup in the last day.”
Meanwhile, Cebu Country Club closed out with 136 points at Binitin on Sunday to win the Founders Division by 14 shots over Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club A.
Alta Vista fired a final round 123 points at Marapara and completed a come-from-behind victory in the Aviator Division, clipping Villamor, 481-473. Villamor sputtered with a closing 114.
Rancho Palos Verdes topped the Sportswriters Division by 20 points over Forest Hills even as South Bay (Los Angeles) hung tough to rule the Friendship class by seven points over Club 1872-Los Angeles with a 437 total.
