Luisita ends title-drought, Apo shines in PAL Interclub

Luisita reigned supreme again, beating rival Canlubang, 550-546, in a classic duel at the close of the 63rd Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub seniors tournament, February 21, at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club in Bacolod City.
The long struggle finally ended for Luisita, which had finished runner-up to 16-time winner Canlubang in the last four editions of the PAL Interclub.  With its latest win, the newly-crowned champ earned its 14th title overall.
The better news came also to Davao when the Apo Golf and Country Club team of Soc Cadayona, Tony Gumapac, Usamo Ikeda, Jun Serado, Ting Castillo, Amado Atillano, Chito Nucum and Monching Tan scored a total of 500 points to rule the Sportswriter’s Division against Fil-Am Hawaii which followed at second with 468 points.
“We are overjoyed by this victory,” said Apo Club general manager Martin Luke Misa.
Rancho Palos Golf and Country Club was not lucky as Apo as it settled for sixth place with 464 points courtesy of the efforts of team captain Jose Ma. Marfori, Victor Gonzales, Faisal Samanodi, Milton Liu, Jose Francisco Llamas, Louie Brodeth and Pepito Gilles.
Lanang finished 18th in the standings while Davao City Golf Club was far away in 23rd spot.
Francis Gaston, the 60-year-old local bet, proved steadier by carding an inspiring even-par 70 equivalent to 54 PAL Stableford points at the Marapara course while veteran Richie Garcia contributed 46 for Luisita.
Bong Sison rounded out Luisita’s 142 output in the finale as he rallied at the back nine to end with 42 markers.  Minieng Maravilla’s 37 did not count.
Canlubang, whose four-win-streak came to a halt, was led by Tommy Manotoc’s 50 points, followed by Bing Bunye’s 46 and Mari Hechanova’s 44 for 140 yesterday.  Rolly Viray bombed out with a 41.
“Canlubang is a tough team to beat, especially with Tommy (Manotoc) around.  That’s why I had to play my best in the final nine,” said Gaston, who had two birdies on Nos. 3, 7 and 12 and bogeys on Nos. 11, 14 and 15 for that level par.
Just four ahead before the final round, Luisita lost the lead after nine holes as Bong Sison and Minieng Maravilla struggled in the early holes which allowed the dethroned defending champion Canlubang to catch up.
In fact, Canlubang’s senior Sugar Barons had regained the lead after 13 holes.  It could not sustain, however, the drive for crown No. 17.  Still, there’s nothing to be ashamed of with their performance. It battled back in the third round and for most of last Sunday. 
“They played a little better than us, although, the players all have had difficulties playing at Marapara,” said Canlubang manager Luigi Yulo.  
The 63rd PAL Interclub, with this year’s theme “Swing High in Bacolod” —  opens this year’s sporting season for the national flag carrier which flies five times a day to the capital of Negros Occidental, just one of the country’s many golfing venues regularly served by PAL.
The event is presented by platinum sponsors Airbus, Boeing, 105.1 Crossover and Radio Mindanao Network.  Major sponsors are Action Asia, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines, People Asia and Royal Caribbean.
The corporate backers are Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, www.philstar.com, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network and Resort World Manila.  Century Park Hotel, DWWW 774 AM, Panay News, Master Card and Thales Aerospace are minor patrons.