PAL Interclub: Teeners lift Cebu past Del Monte

DAVAO—This time, it was Cebu Country Club’s teenagers who grabbed the chance to shine.

Drawing amazing rounds from a trio with a combined age of 48 years, Cebu CC Thursday conquered the formidable Apo Golf layout with 134 points to take a 10-point lead over Del Monte after two rounds of Championship division action in the 65th PAL Interclub golf tournament here.

Lloyd Jefferson Go, a 17-year-old playing just his second round at the soggy, heavily wooded layout, matched par 72 worth 36 points, Japanese Gen Nagai, 15, amassed 35 and 16-year-old Gio Gandiongco added a 33 to boost CCC’s two-round output of 257.

Either one of the 30s of former CCC club champion Eric Deen and Mark Dy counted for Cebu, which surged ahead as defending champion Del Monte failed to find anyone to back up former national champion Clyde Mondilla.

“We made up for our mistakes at Palos Verdes (on Wednesday),” team leader Montito Garcia said. “I was very disappointed yesterday, but now I am ecstatic. We need to hold on to our lead.”

Mondilla, set to turn pro after this event, matched Go’s 36, but Lawrence Cubillo and Noel Langamin managed just a 31 each and Magno Arancon counted out last with 26 in a round of 124.

And while Del Monte lacked support for its top gun, Alabang didn’t have one on the second day with the 30 points of Jama Reyes pacing the team’s lethargic 104 that dropped the overnight leader 29 points behind at 228 overall.

Teeners Miguel Shah and Santiago Lorenzo, who opened up with 32 and 33 points, respectively, shot just 26 points each and Alabang had to count either one of the 22 of skipper Arnel Paras and Dax Garcia.

Action returns to the Palos Verdes layout Friday with Garcia leading Cebu CC even as Del Monte, which is trying to win this event away from home for the first time, prepares for a massive charge in the last two days.

Bucking tournament pressure at Apo, Go gunned down four birdies against two bogeys. He would have submitted the first sub-par card in the tournament had it not for a pickup on the par-5 13th after a badly missed drive and a three-putt.

A tight race shaped up in the Founders division with Wack Wack inching ahead with a four-point lead over Apo Golf and Riviera after a 116 built around the 31s of EJ Marcelo and Matthew Manotoc.

Apo Golf drew 33 points from Denden De Castro to spark a 122, while Riviera got all four scorers shooting in the 30s with Howie Sison leading with a 31 and Jing Romero, Pepot Iñigo and Brix Aw all accounting for 30s for 121.

Orchard, which was tied for the lead with Wack Wack at the start of the day, was penalized two points after Byron Cho, the highest pointer with 31, holed out for a double bogey. Orchard assembled 111 for the day and was at 228.

The tournament’s platinum sponsors are Mareco Broadcasting Network, Radio High, Stargate Media, Media Five, GE, while the major backers are Asia Brewery, Business Mirror and Airbus.

Also lending support are the Department of Tourism, Philippine Graphics, Boeing International Corp., Bombo Radyo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Movenpick Resort & Spa Cebu, Plantation Bay, Radisson Blu Hotel and Imperial Palace Waterpark & Spa Cebu.