Canlubang, Carlos grab early lead

Clark Field, Pampanga—Canlubang and Jobim Carlos announced their return in the PAL Interclub in a big way Wednesday as the Sugar Barons took a one-point lead over defending champion Manila Southwoods at the start of the 69th edition of the Men’s Championship division.

The 23-year-old Carlos fired a day-best three-under-par 69 worth 39 points at Mimosa’s Mountain View layout here, boosting the Sugar Barons to a 138 tally to keep Southwoods at bay even with the Carmona-based squad fielding what could be its best five yet.

Youthful Aidric Chan assembled 34, Marco Olives had 33 and the veteran Abe Rosal’s 32 counted as the last score for Canlubang, which is making its first appearance in this tournament since 2011 and is gunning for another sweet double after ruling Senior action last Sunday.

It was exactly the kind of output Canlubang was looking for from Carlos, who turns pro next week, as the Barons got off to a rip-roaring start and can have an equally explosive team coming out for the second round today with Rupert Zaragosa sitting out the first round.

“I’m just here trying to help my team win. I feel excited being able to play in the Interclub again,” Carlos, who was in that 2011 team, said. “I have no individual aspirations whatsoever. Team comes first.”

Southwoods drew 38 points from 16-year-old Yuto Katsuragawa and 37 from national pool member Justin Quiban, even as Orchard, the 2014 champion, fell 13 points off the pace with a 125 led by Liam Cully’s 35.

Raymond Sangil and Thomas Joson shot 31s and Rodel Mangulabnan 28 for Orchard, which discarded the 27 points of Jay Reyes.

Del Monte was another point back of Orchard after Jelbert Gamolo assembled a level 36 with Luisita tallying 120.