Southwoods wary of formidable Fil-Am field

BAGUIO City—Southwoods plays with a virtual bull’s-eye in its back as action in the centerpiece Fil Championship division of the 68th Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational by San Miguel Corporation gets off the ground at Camp John Hay.

Sides have souped up their respective rosters as they try to topple Southwoods, which triumphed by 88 points last year but will be playing sans Japanese top gun Yuto Katsuragawa.

Former pro Raymund Sangil plays for Royal Northwoods, and will be the veteran presence on the roster that also has young internationalists Nick Gatmaytan, Richard Joson, Luis Castro and Carlo Villaroman.

Stehmeier brothers King and Ace and Rodel Mangulabnan will be backstopping Mizuno X1R, which also has Brixton Aw and new member Justin Tambunting, formerly of Orchard.

“We know what they are up against,” said nonplaying Southwoods skipper Jerome Delariarte.

Meanwhile, ex-pro Gary Sales fired a two-under-par 66 worth 38 points on Monday and led the Batangas Barakos to an opening 134 points for an 11-point lead over Team Surigao in Fil A.