Cagayan de Oro City—Del Monte opened a five-point lead over Eastridge in the 75th Philippine Airlines Men’s Regular Interclub, drawing firepower from Rolando Bregente and Cliff Nuneza at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Friday.
Five days after clinching its first senior crown, Del Monte combined for 109 points going into the next two rounds at its home course in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Bregente and Nuneza were the only players to break par at Pueblo, shooting 39 and 38 points, respectively.
Del Monte captain Yoyong Velez was the third scorer with 32 points.
Bregente, a 21-year-old sophomore at Bukidnon State University, collected five birdies against two bogeys.
Del Monte also drew a strong performance from 16-year-old Nuneza who bounced back after bogeying the first three holes.
Nuneza, who started at the back, had a pair of three-putts before hitting birdies on 13 and 14. He added two more birdies on 16 and 18 to reach the turn on 2-under.
Del Monte’s strong start mirrors its senior team’s performance that led to a runaway championship last week.
“Will history repeat itself?” Velez posed this question while looking forward to playing at Del Monte.
As defending champion Manila Southwoods struggled to keep pace, Eastridge stepped up to challenge Del Monte.
Chris John Remata shot 36 points, Jeffren Lumbo added 35 and Jhondie Quibol chipped in 33 as the Binangonan-based squad kept Del Monte within arm’s length.