Cangolf seniors seize command, grab 9-point PAL Interclub buffer

BACOLOD—Defending Seniors champion Canlubang quickly brought chief rival Luisita back to earth Friday, sweeping on top by nine points after two rounds of the 67th Philippine Airlines Interclub golf championships here.

So thorough was Canlubang’s domination of Luisita at the Marapara course of Negros Occidental Golf and Country in this city that they hardly felt a two-point deduction due to a wrong drop assessed on Rene Unson,  who settled for a 49 in the team’s day-best 143 output.

Reigning Seniors champion Abe Avena also had a 49 with Mari Hechanova adding a 45 as the Sugar Barons surged ahead with 286 in their quest for a fourth straight title and their eighth in the last nine editions of this popular event for golfers 55 years and above.

Luisita, bidding to regain the title it won during its last hosting of the event in 2010, lost its one-point overnight lead on the first nine and was not a threat from there with its top-rated players playing like weekend duffers.

The Tarlac-based squad assembled 133 for a two-day total of 277 with only Francis Gaston playing true to form with a 47. Seve Roxas Chua contributed 44 and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia struggled to a 42 in what he said was his poorest round in years on a course where he developed his game.

Worse, the comebacking Iggy Clavecilla, longtime Luisita spearhead until he was sidelined by health issues two years ago, failed to count under the four-to-play, three-to-count format with a 38.

“I’m just a shell of what I used to be,” rued Iggy, then added in jest he is content being just a pretty face now.

Unson, who was playing with Clavecilla, was penalized two strokes for a wrong drop going to No. 16, which he had birdied for 4 points under the PAL scoring system. His score was changed to a bogey worth 2.

Manila Golf rose to third overall at 266 with Fausto Preysler leading the scoring with a 47 and Alex Prieto and Manoling Chan backing him up with 45s.

Co-host NOGCC-Marapara seized control in the Founders Division with 255.

Victorias paced the Sportswriters class by three points while Bayanihan Golfers and Sienna Plantation shared top spot at 198 in the Friendship category.

(NOTES: This year’s edition is co-sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation and Manila Bulletin.