BAGUIO—Can Eastridge Primehomes hold on and win its first title? Or will Manila Southwoods rally in time and capture a record-setting 10th straight crown?
The answer will be known Saturday as they clash in the fourth and final round in the 74th Januarius Fil Am Invitational here.
Eastridge scored 125 points at the tougher Baguio Country Club course for a 422 total to pad its advantage to six points against Southwoods’ 124 for 416.
Januarius Private Equity stayed at third with 115-404.
Jhondie Quibol continued to be sharp for Eastridge as he led with 34 points, in a followup to his 45-point explosion on Wednesday at Camp John Hay.
Ronel Taga-an, who had an eagle on the first hole, made a 33. Don Bregente’s 30 and Jeffren Lumbo’s 28 counted for the day.
“Whatever happens, I believe this will have an exciting finish,” said Gimo Asuncion, Eastridge general manager, acting as captain for the club this week.
“It is good to have the lead, but there are lots of golf left. Gonna be a nail-biter for sure,” he added.
Southwoods failed to gain ground as Coby Rolida opened with a one-under at the front, but struggled at the back with three-over for 34 markers.
Other scorers were Enrique Dimayuga with 34, while Jet Hernandez and Miko Granada accounted for 29 apiece.
With his vast experience in the Fil Am, Southwoods’ skipper Thirdy Escaño remained unfazed and is hopeful for that one big finishing kick.
“Our boys do not have a best scoring day yet. I am hoping it happens tomorrow (today),” he said, noting that last year, his team climbed back after two lackluster rounds.
Things are looking good though for Manila Southwoods’s Team 2, further extending its lead to a commanding 16 points over Eastridge Primehomes Team 2 in the Am Championship at Camp John Hay.
Pacing Southwoods was Zeus Sara with 41. Patrick Tambalque finally came out with his usual game and had 38, while Zach Villaroman and TJ Padilla chipped in 36 and 35, respectively, for 150 and 383.
Chris John Remata was the top man for Eastridge with 37. Gary Sales and Edison Tabalin supported with 36 and 33, respectively. Richard Joson’s 32 counted in the five-to-play, four-to-count tournament format, for 138 and 367.
Two-day frontrunner Batangas Barakos’ performance considerably dipped as it occupied third with 114 for 348.
Championship Scores:
FIL – Eastridge-1 422, Manila Southwoods-1 416, Januarius Private Equity 404, SPES-1 372, Time Cargo-1 326
Am – Manila Southwoods-2 383, Eastridge-2 367, Batangas Barakos 348, Januarius Truespec 320, Valley 284
