Carlos leads Canlubang’s PAL Interclub bid

JOBIM Carlos takes a string of sterling individual performances to Clark Field in Pampanga next week as he tries to anchor Canlubang to a successful comeback in the PAL Interclub’s Men’s Championship division.

Also out of the tournament when handicapping rules kept the best players out of it for four years, Carlos will be playing the event one final time before making the jump to the pro ranks.

Carlos will be just one of the stars making an appearance in the country’s unofficial team golf championship, as the likes of Justin Quiban, Jelbert Gamolo, Basti Lorenzo and several other stars are spearheading various teams.

Quiban will try to steer Manila Southwoods to a first-ever repeat; Gamolo will be with several others from the Del Monte grassroots program, while Lorenzo will power the youthful Luisita side making an appearance in the Men’s division for the first time in decades.

“I am excited to be playing team golf again,” said Carlos, who will come into the 72-hole event teeing off March 2 the winner of his last two starts, the Philippine Am and DHL Open. “I am excited to help the team, and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

The Senior’s division is also not wanting in stars with Tommy Manotoc and Eddie Bagtas renewing their rivalry as they anchor Canlubang and Luisita, respectively.

Canlubang will be seeking to repeat with Manotoc trying to get back at Bagtas, who won the individual championship via a countback in Cebu last year after Manotoc finished bogey-bogey.

“It’s going to go down-the-wire,” Manotoc told the Inquirer. “They (Luisitans) have a great team as well.”

Dave Hernandez, Rolly Viray and Abe Avena are Manotoc’s chief back-ups, while Jingy Tuazon suits up for the Luisitans and together with Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia make up Luisita’s rock-solid core.

Senior’s action gets going on Feb. 25 also at the Mountain View course and the composite Lake View and Acacia nines of the Mimosa Golf and Country Club.

The 69th PAL Interclub is sponsored by People Asia, Travelife, Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Manila Broadcasting Corporation, Airbus, Business Mirror and Philippine National Bank. Supporters include Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Inquirer.net.