Canlubang dedicates return to PAL Srs throne to departed member

BACOLOD CITY—Handling final-round pressure like grizzled veterans do, the Canlubang Sugar Barons did more than protect a handsome lead on Sunday and returned as kings in the PAL Seniors Interclub championship.

Playing for a departed teammate, the Barons took the full measure of Luisita’s fancied, rock-solid final round crew and tallied 140 points over tough-as-nails Marapara here to win the centerpiece Championship Division by eight points.

Abe Rosal came out first and fired a four-over-par 74 worth 50 points with Zaldy Villa contributing 46 and either 44s of Damasus Wong or Rolly Viray counting as the Barons amassed a 72-hole 573 and put behind the bitter memories of an 11-point loss in Davao last year.

More importantly, the Barons accomplished what they came here to do: Win for Mike Preysler.

“This is for Mike,” a jubilant Cangolf owner Luigi Yulo announced while being given the victory ride by the Barons just off the 18th green. “He would have loved to be here and help us win this one. This is the least we could do for him.”

Preysler played for the Barons last year and stumbled at the Apo Golf and Rancho Palos Verdes courses despite packing great credentials. His teammates said Presyler was very hard on himself after the loss and vowed to help the Barons regain the championship this year.

But he succumbed to stomach cancer late last year and Cangolf scrambled for a replacement, tapping Pem Rosal, a physician and Abe’s younger brother.

Pem spearheaded Cangolf’s telling third round performance at Binitin in Murcia town on Saturday where the Barons turned an overnight two-point deficit into a seven-point lead, which Abe and his crew ably protected for the club’s 10th title overall.

“The key was the third round,” Yulo said. “I think they (Luisitans) made an error in fielding [their players] and they opted for a stronger final round team.”

Benjie Sumulong assembled 50 points, Rodel Mangulabnan fired 45 and former pro Eddie Bagtas had 44 for Luisita for 565.