Manila Southwoods celebrates its latest win. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CAGAYAN DE ORO—With the belief that it can be done, Manila Southwoods on Monday pounded the Pueblo de Oro layout here—and the latest pretender to its throne—to complete a rally from as many as 13 points down and win another Championship division title in the Regular Men’s tournament of the 75th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub.
And the Carmona-based bets did so still pulling away on the final day.
“Winning in come-from-behind style is very fulfilling,” Southwoods nonplaying skipper Thirdy Escaño told the Inquirer. “This team is a real team. And that will always have its advantages. That’s what a long-term program is for.”
READ: As Southwoods fights to maintain reign, Eastridge lurks as contender
Southwoods’ ninth title allowed it to keep its dominance of the centerpiece division of what is known as the unofficial team golf championship in the country, and it further validates the practice of the club of keeping so many players in its pool.
“Being a close-knit group, at the end of the day, counts for a lot,” Escaño went on after getting a six-under-par 66 worth 42 points from 15-year-old Shin Suzuki that led a closing 111 for 429 overall and a 13-point victory over third round leader Eastridge. “When push comes to shove, being a team holds you together. They (Eastridge) really broke miserably today.”
“This is one of my best rounds. Not only did I do it for myself but also for the team,” said Suzuki, who was backed up by the 36 points of Masaichi Otake and the 33 of Miko Granada.
Blown lead
Holding a five-point lead to start the final round, Eastridge was only good for 93 points, failing to breach triple digits for the first time, to hold off Del Monte for runner-up spot.
Del Monte was six points off Eastridge after a 101 for 410 built around the 37 of teener Cliff Nuñeza.
Ronel Taga-an, who shared team honors with Edison Tabalin with 37 points in the second round at Del Monte, fired 32 points, with Gary Sales shooting 31 and either 30s of Jeff Lumbo or Chris Remata counting as the last score.
READ: Two-horse race as Eastridge, Southwoods try to close out with a flurry
Southwoods will have three of its mainstays—Aidric Chan, Lanz Uy and Ryan Monsalve—turning pro as they take part in the Philippine Golf Tour’s Qualifying School that starts on Tuesday at South Pacific in Davao.
“We have some players coming in from our developmental pool,” Escaño said. “But like I said, those players who will join us next year already know what this team is all about. And like I said, that counts for a lot.”