CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—Hoping to just reduce Luisita’s lead, defending champion Canlubang came up instead with its best output yesterday and found itself on top by two points going into the final round of the 69th PAL Interclub Seniors championship at Mimosa Golf and Country Club here.
Canlubang wiped out Luisita’s 12-point edge after 36 holes by matching the tournament-best output for the day of 150 points behind Mari Hechanova, Abe Avena and Dave Hernandez as the Tarlac-based squad managed only 136 after earlier scores of 146-140.
After posting identical 138s in the first two rounds, Canlubang drew 51 points from Hechanova, a 50 from Avena and a 49 from Hernandez to overtake Luisita, 426-424.
“Two points [going into the final round] is nothing,” said Canlubang team manager Luigi Yulo
A 48 by Benjie Sumulong one of three Luisita rookies, capped the team’s anemic scoring. Bong Sison contributed 46 and one of the 42 by Philippine Sports Commission Chair Richie Garcia and newcomer Chito Laureta counted.
Despite the unexpected change of fortune, team manager Jeric Hechanova said he feels confident of Luisita’s chances with defending individual champion Eddie Bagtas and top rookie Jingy Tuason playing in the final round.
Canlubang will pin its closing drive on Tommy Manotoc and Rolly Viray.
It’s actually a three-cornered fight for the overall crown with host Mimosa just four behind Canlubang at 422 while holding an eight-point lead over Cebu Country Club.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental grabbed the lead in the new Aviator division from Eagle Ridge, which submitted the tournament’s first 150 output in the second round. The Negrenses showed the way by three with 396.
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The scores: CHAMPIONSHIP: Canlubang 426, Luisita 424; FOUNDERS: Mimosa 422, Cebu Country Club 414, Orchard 406, Manila Golf 391; AVIATOR: Negros OCG 396, Eagle Ridge 393, Manila S’woods 378, Riviera, Navy 374, Villamor 366, Wack Wack 355, Fil-Am Hawaii 353, South Bay, Davao 343, Apo, Coral Ocean Point 340, Camp John Hay 339, Valley 333, Veterans 330. SPORTSWRITERS: Forest Hills 351, Club 1872 Los Angeles 343, Del Monte 341, Sarangani 340