BAGUIO—Eastridge Primehomes bounced back in a big way, behind Jhondie Quibol’s exceptional 45 points as it pooled a superb second round 158 points to wrest a five-shot advantage in Fil Championship of the 74th Januarius Fil Am Invitational held at Camp John Hay here on Wednesday.
Quibol’s score, which includes an eagle on No. 9 with eight birdies and a lone bogey, and the team’s output are now the best scores in a single round in Fil-Am history.
With its 139 on the first day, Eastridge now holds a two-day haul of 297.
Manila Southwoods is close by with 292 and erstwhile leader Januarius Private Equity slid to third with 289.
“Thankful that we’re on top but there are two more playing days so it is far from over,” said Eastridge team captain Gimo Asuncion.
“It would be even tougher since we are going to Baguio Country Club,” he said, noting how difficult it is to play the shorter but tricky BCC layout.
The Davao-bor Quibol was really on fire, draining six birdies on the back nine where he began. He added three birdies at the front and that eagle on the ninth where he holed in a 120-yard second shot that negated his one bogey on the seventh.
“The boys were motivated as they wanted to make up for the opening round performance and they truly did.” Asuncion also said.
Jet Hernandez made 40 to lead the Southwoods’ charge. Shin Suzuki, despite an aching back, contributed 39, while Fil-Briton Enrique Dimayuga and Miko Granada added 38 and 36 for 153 and 292.
“It is good thing we have two days to catch up. I am happy that my boys are scoring progressively,” said Southwoods skipper Thirdy Escaño.
Januarius assembled 140 on Terence Macatangay’s 37, Ayon Sanchez’s 36, Masa Otake’s 34 and Kirby Lachica’s 30.
“The guys are eager to come back and score better at BCC,” Januarius team manager Paolo Cagalingan said.
Batangas Barakos (112-234) still holds sway in the AM Championship which was played at BCC, while Manila Southwoods is second with 120-233.
