Cangolf eyes 4th straight PAL Sr title

MANILA, Philippines –Canlubang guns for a fourth straight Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub title starting Thursday against an old archrival that will be led by former pro Eddie Bagtas at the Marapara and Binitin layouts in Bacolod.

The Sugar Barons, champions in seven of the last eight years, are the odds-on picks to win even with Tommy Manotoc likely to sit it out for the second straight year and Bagtas reverting back as an amateur to play for Luisita.

Bagtas had been one of the better touring pros in the country for two decades from the 1980s and will be playing as an amateur for the first time.

He will join the likes of Richie Garcia, Pepot Iñigo and Francis Gaston at Luisita, which will miss the services of another consistent scorer in Minieng Maravilla.

The Sugar Barons  will try to again win without Manotoc, a many-time Regular and Senior individual champion, who is still trying to get back in shape.

Canlubang  has enlisted the services of Abe Avena, the reigning Senior Amateur champion to team up with old hands Dave Hernandez, Rolly Viray, Mari Hechanova and the burly Tony Olives.

Luigi Yulo, the playing skipper, is also a doubtful starter for Cangolf.

A total of 77 teams are entered in the Men’s division, which gets going the week after.