Rosal delivers as Sugar Barons open title defense in style
Abe Rosal blasts out of a greenside trap. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CEBU—Called on to spearhead Canlubang in the opening round of its Philippine Airlines (PAL) Seniors Interclub defense on Wednesday, Abe Rosal delivered like only he can and boosted the Sugar Barons to an effort that even their chief threats described as “super.”
Draining four birdies against two three-putt bogeys in a two-under-par 70 worth 56 points, Rosal glittered on a gloomy day at well-manicured Alta Vista, which he was supposed to sit out as Canlubang opened up a nine-point lead over bitter rival Luisita after an eye-popping 155 points.
“I played well today,” Rosal said. “Let’s just say that I will play when the team asks me to play.”
Damasus Wong provided brilliant backup with 52 and the grizzled Rolly Viray contributed 47 as Cangolf threw away the 46 of Mari Hechanova with action shifting to unpredictable Club Filipino in Danao for the next two rounds before returning to Alta Vista for the final 18 on Saturday.
Luisita drew 50 points from ex-pro Dan Cruz, 49 from Chino Raymundo and 47 from rookie Marty Ilagan for 146 for second in the Championship Division and third overall after Cebu Country Club, playing in the lower Founders bracket, tallied 150 to stay within five of Cangolf.
“I thought we did pretty well today, shooting 146,” Luisita nonplaying skipper Jeric Hechanova said. “When we won here [in 2019], we averaged 146. That was a super round that Canlubang played.”
Rosal was called to play after Tommy Manotoc, who was supposed to anchor Cangolf in round one, rushed home in a huff—a couple of hours before tee off—to attend to a family emergency.
If he doesn’t make it back here, Canlubang is in danger of playing one of the remaining three rounds with just three players.
Manila Southwoods, playing in the Championship division for the first time, trailed by 12 after a 143 built around the 51 of Mandred Guangko and 48 of Bong Brobio. The Carmona-based squad, which sat out Jun Jun Plana, got 44 points from Luis Garcia.
Del Monte amassed 139 after Ramon Jaraulla pooled 51 points, Crispin Aparilla 47 and Villy Adag 41.
