San Mig-NC bets begin title defense

A San Miguel-Northern Cement squad that will be without the finest amateur in the country opens defense of the centerpiece Fil Championship Division title of the 67th Fil-Am Invitational today at Camp John Hay in Baguio.

Rupert Zaragosa has decided to help Forest Hills this year, leaving the cudgels on the veteran Eddie Bagtas and a young back-up crew led by Gabriel Manotoc even as Manila Southwoods parades what could be the team to beat in the 72-hole event.

“We’ll still give it our all, even without [Zaragosa],” Bagtas said after the final practice round yesterday. “It’s still anybody’s game.”

Zaragosa comes to a Forest Hills squad desperately looking for a solid anchor to matter in the tournament. He joins former pro Jude Eustaquio in forming the core of their lineup, which has exciting age-groupers Dan Cruz, Luigi Guerrero and JP De Claro.

Yuto Katsuragawa, the reigning club champion, banners Southwoods, which will also have former Junior World champion Kristoffer Arevalo, Aira Alido and Ryan Monsalve.