DAVAO—Even with its top gun taking the day off, Luisita got off to a rip-roaring start, and while defending champion Canlubang fielded a pretty explosive roster, the Sugar Barons couldn’t get it going after Day 1 of PAL Seniors Interclub action on Wednesday.
Rodel Mangulabnan, a computer software businessman making his debut in the 55-year-old and above ranks, fired a four-over-par 76 worth 50 points to lead Luisita’s opening 145 as the 15-time champions posted a two-point lead over darkhorse Del Monte at Apo Golf here.
Chito Laureta, another new face in the Luisita crew, fired 48 and Jingy Tuason chipped in 47. So efficient was the team that it threw away the 45 of Allan Alegre.
Del Monte, which is out to spoil another Canlubang-Luisita party for the title, also got 50 points from Archie Mondilla, and 48 and 45, respectively, from Virgilio Adag and Ernesto Apas. The Bukidnon-based team discarded the 39 of Romeo Bautista.
“We kind of expected to lead, but not shoot high scores,” said Luisita non-playing skipper Jeric Hechanova. Play called for lift, clean and place but no one really took advantage as the tree-lined layout again proved tough.
Canlubang struggled big, with the 43 of rookie Damas Wong good enough to lead the Sugar Baron’s first round 124, easily one of the fabled team’s worst opening efforts.
Dave Hernandez fired 41 and Mari Hechanova 40 for the Barons, who will be without Tommy Manotoc.
Mike Preysler, a many time Spanish champion, was good for just 35 points in his first stint, which he described as a “very humbling experience.”
“There’s still a lot of golf left to be played,” said Canlubang captain Tony Olives as action shifts to Rancho Palos Verdes Thursday. “But we need to start making up ground (starting the second round).”
Eagle Ridge was just 14 points off the Luisitans after a 131 built around the day-best 51 of South Korean Tong Wha-lee.