Southwoods seeks lost glory

BACOLOD—Needing a good start over a layout that takes no prisoners, Manila Southwoods starts its quest to reclaim lost PAL Interclub glory on Wednesday with a roster led by its biggest gun and a veteran it tapped precisely to provide a steadying presence to a young, loaded crew.

Yuto Katsuragawa, the pro-bound Japanese, comes out on Day 1 for the Carmona-based squad at tough-as-nails Marapara here, with Vince Lauron also plunging into action as Southwoods aims to touch off another title streak.

Over at Binitin in Murcia town, Cebu CC will actually open defense of the centerpiece Championship crown playing in the lower Founders bracket as it tries to pull off a repeat of what it did on home soil last year when it upset Southwoods.

“We are coming out with a balanced team [for the first round],” nonplaying Southwoods skipper Thirdy Escano told the Inquirer. “If we stick to the game plan, and God willing, we will be shooting to lead after the first round.”

Cebu CC has its eye on the prize, even if it missed joining the heavyweights in the highest division.

Aguri Iwasaki, who is in the final phase of the Asian Tour Qualifying, will wear Southwoods’ colors. Former World junior champion Kristoffer Arevalo is also on the team.