Tenacious Luisita pads lead to 12

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—There’s no losing ground for Luisita this time with its third rookie even boosting the overall lead to 12 after two rounds of the 69th PAL Interclub Seniors golf championship yesterday at Mimosa Golf and Country Club here.

After blowing a similar eight-point lead in the first round in Cebu last year, the Luisitans outscored their chief rivals from Canlubang by four points this time, 142-138, and reached the halfway mark of the 72-hole event for players 55 years and older with a 288 total.

Newcomer Benjie Sumulong proved the key to Luisita’s tenacious stand by coming up with 48 points behind the leading 50 of team sparkplug and defending individual champion Eddie Bagtas.

The last score that counted was the 44 of Minieng Maravilla after Bong Sison, who also had a 44, was disqualified for signing the wrong scorecard that had him with a 45.

Tommy Manotoc came up with 51 points but Canlubang finished the day with 276 with Rolly Viray contributing 44 and rookie Zaldy Villa settling for 43 after a pickup on the par-5 18th where he needed five blasts from a greenside bunker.

Luisita team captain Jeric Hechanova said the next move is to come up with a lineup that could protect the lead in the third round before the team unleashes its top bets, including high-scoring rookies Jingy Tuason and Chito Laureta, on the final day.

Canlubang, winner by 17 points last year after a fierce rally, now needs a big fightback today to remain in contention for a win that will break its 8-8 standoff for total victories with the squad from Tarlac.

Meanwhile, host Mimosa sustained its surprisingly strong run, outscoring Canlubang by two points for the day and remained way ahead in the Founders Division with a tournament-best 289 total.

Cebu Country Club, with Montito Garcia firing the best round so far of 1-over-par 73 for 53 points at the Acacia and Lakeview nines, was a far second with 275. Orchard was third at 66 with Pueblo de Oro and Manila Golf tied for fourth at 260.

Eagle Ridge seized the lead in the new Aviator division after assembling 150 for a 278 total. Forest Hills paced the Sportswriters class.

The Interclub is sponsored by People Asia, Travelife, Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Manila Broadcasting Corp., Airbus, Business Mirror and Philippine National Bank.

Other supporters: Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inquirer.net, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Tanduay Distillers, Asia Brewery, Splash Corporation, RFM Corp., Goldilocks, Eastgate Publishing Corp., Robinsons Land, Rolls-Royce.

The scores:

CHAMPIONSHIP—Luisita 288; Canlubang 276.

FOUNDERS—Mimosa 289; Cebu Country Club 275; The Orchard 266; Pueblo de Oro, Manila Golf 260; Alta Vista 244; Alabang 238; Vancouver ABC 217; Lanang 214; SF Maharlika 191; Northbay Boys SF 188; Greenhills West 172; SF Peninsula GA 150; Social Redhawks 118.

AVIATOR—Eagle Ridge 278; Negros OGC 265; Villamor 245; Wack Wack 230; Riviera 229; Davao City 224; Guam Seals 220; Zamboanga 215; Camp Evangelista 210; Team Brookside 205; San Juanico 204.

SPORTSWRITERS—Forest Hills 235; Del Monte 230; Club Intramuros 225; Iloilo 220; Fil-Am Fairfield 215; Philam Golf of Central Florida 209; Baguio CC Seniors 202; Sienna Plantation 199.

FRIENDSHIP—PGA British Columbia 218; South Cotabato 217; UP Tee Jots 189; Parbreakers 188; Bay Area 187; Team Taotaomona 185; Moffet Field 180; Mt. Malindang 179.