Manotoc: Canlubang stronger next year

CEBU CITY—Depending on how well Tommy Manotoc feels using the conventional type putter again, Canlubang will be an even stronger force next year for the Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub championship either in Bacolod or Davao.

Stronger because reigning national senior champion Abe Avena would have recovered by then from a rib injury that kept him out of the Sugar Barons’ successful title drive here on Sunday.

The Barons, with Manotoc providing the steadying presence, prevailed by 17 points over archrival Luisita at the Mactan and Club Filipino courses, breaking away in the final day when the pressure was greatest for their eighth title.

No other team outside of Canlubang and Luisita has won the senior championship.

The 65-year-old Manotoc made a comeback after a two-year absence but could be out of the lineup again next season with the ban on the belly and long putters to take effect at the start of next year.

“I haven’t used the traditional putter for 25 years,” Manotoc, who lost the individual title to Eddie Bagtas of Luisita via a countback after finishing bogey-bogey at Mactan, told the Inquirer Sunday night during the awarding rite.

“I won’t play if I can’t contribute because of that,” Manotoc added. “Another thing is that my back has been pain-free since I used the long putter. I don’t want that pain again.”

Avena wanted to join the Barons but didn’t get clearance from his doctors. He sustained the broken rib in a vehicular accident at the Star Tollway in Batangas.

Meanwhile, Orchard opens defense of the Men’s Regular championship starting tomorrow when the first round is played at tree-lined Cebu Country Club.