All over but the shouting: Luisita virtually claims PAL senior crown

DAVAO—Despite sitting out its two best players of the first two rounds, Luisita kept a formidable lead Friday and has everything set up as it returns as king of the Senior PAL Interclub championship.

Rookie Chito Laureta and Benjie Sumulong fired three-over-par 75s worth 51 points each at Rancho Palos Verdes here and Rafael Garcia added 49 as the Luisitans pooled a third round 151 to stay 14 points clear of Del Monte as action closes out Saturday over an Apo Golf layout where they did the most damage in the first round.

Eddie Bagtas and Rodel Mangulabnan, Luisita’s top scorers in the first two rounds, will come out to cap a dominant campaign as the Luisitans try to formally dethrone Canlubang and win their 16th title.

Counting earlier efforts of 145 and 159, the Luisitans now have a 455 aggregate, with Del Monte staying in second after a 152 for 441 as the Sugar Barons slowed down considerably with a 147, a total that came on the heels of an eye-popping 162 in the second round.

Cangolf is now 22 points behind and practically out of it.

“We went to our steady players so that we can have a strong team [for the final round],” non-playing Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova said.

Raul Miñoza fired 53 points, Yoyong Velez 50 and Titing Callo 49 for Del Monte, which will try to seal its best finish in years in the Senior Division by holding off the Sugar Barons.