Cebu City—Reigning national seniors’ champion Rodel Mangulabnan and Benjie Sumulong powered Luisita into the lead going into the final round of the 33rd Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships Friday.
Mangulabnan scored a one-over par 73 at the Club Filipino de Cebu to lead Luisita with 53 points, the best score so far in the tournament.
He had four birdies against three bogeys and double bogey, a resounding followup to his second-round 50 points.
Sumulong, smarting from his disqualification in the second round for signing a wrong scorecard, posted 50 points as Luisita took a six-point lead over Canlubang, 424-418.
Former pro Demy Saclot was the third scorer for Luisita with 47, but he cost the team two points for not picking up on the 15th hole. Chito Laureta did not count with 43.
Defending champion Canlubang matched its second round output of 140 points with Abe Avena leading the charge with 48 points.
Despite a horrendous start of a double bogey, pickup and bogey, Avena managed to finish the last 15 holes in regulation.
Mari Hechanova added 47 and Tommy Manotoc chipped in 45 for Canlubang. Pem Rosal failed to count with 43.
Del Monte and Cebu Country Club were in third and fourth places with 408 and 402, respectively.
Scoring for Del Monte were Romeo Bautista 53, Raul Minoza 46 and Antonio Arancon 42 while CCC’s scorers were Eric Deen 51, Kim Kwang Seok 40 and Nelson Yuvallos 38.
In the Founders division, Manila Southwoods seized the lead with 135 points for 387 overall.
A point behind was Negros Occidental while the Orchard was third with 384.
The other division leaders were Team Coral Ocean Point in the Aviator, Baguio Country Club in the Sportswriter and EZ Par Golf Club in the Friendship.
This year’s Interclub is sponsored by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network. Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, Cignal TV, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Dusit Thani Manila, and Casino Filipino. Official hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.
