BAGUIO CITY—Manila Southwoods came out with its guns blazing Wednesday and turned a seven-shot deficit into a four-point lead heading into a possible showdown at the shorter and much trickier Baguio Country Club golf course on Friday in the 68th Department of Tourism Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament.
Luigi Paolo Wong once again showed his familiarity of the course he calls home as the La Trinidad, Benguet native matched his first day, four under performance worth 40 points to pace the Carmona, Cavite parbusters anew.
The 16-year-old golfer, whose family resides at the nearby capital town, had five birdies against a lone bogey as he seized command of the individual crown on his debut with the most decorated ball club in the Fil-Am.
The 15-year-old Joo Hyung Kim and Aidric Chan, who shot 25 points and did not count the previous day, both improved to a three-under 66 worth 39 each.
Carl Corpus added a one-under worth 37 for the team’s eye popping 11-under 155 performance that pushed their total to 301 points.
Celebrating his 21st year with Manila Southwoods in what is considered as one of the longest and biggest amateur golf team competitions, veteran Junjun Plana shot 28 points and did not count.
Wong also assumed leadership in the individual race with 80 points, followed by Kim who was four shots down with 76.
“We’re proud with the way the boys played and it’s good we were able to gain some ground,” said non-playing coach Jerome Delariarte, who once was part of the winning Southwoods’ team during the late 90s and early 2000s.
“Hopefully, we can pull off the win,” added Delariarte, who was with the Southwoods’ team that scored one of the greatest comebacks in Fil-Am history, the 2002 edition when the team was 16 shots down after day two but made a miraculous comeback that saw them beat Calatagan by a point at the end of the four-day competition.
It was Southwoods’ sixth straight title in the premier Fil Championship flight.
Forest Hills could not match the firepower of Southwoods this time as it came in with an even par 144 to improve its total to 297, with Rocky Co leading the charge with a three-under for 39 points.
Marc Chan Lu had a one under worth 37 points, Dan Cruz had a one over for 35 and day one star Jude Eustaquio stumbled with a 33 and was one shot off Inigo Raymundo, who did not count with a 32.
Former pro Raymund Sangil, who did not count on day one, shot an even par for 36 points to match the youthful Luis Castro to lead Royal Northwoods’ 140 point production and 271 aggregate which is good for third spot.
Richard Joson had a one over 35 and Carlo Villaroman assembled a 33 to count for the team, seven up on Mizuno X-1R, which shot 137 thanks to the four under 40 of King Stehmeier. Mizuno has a two-day total of 264, seven shots off Northwoods.
Chepe Dulay powered Southwoods 119 points with a two-over 34 as the defending champion improved to 230 for a 15-shot lead in Am Championship.
Kristoffer Arevalo and the beanpole Lanz Uy made 29, while JamaReyes chipped in 27 even as GJ Katigbak did not count with a 26.
Damas Wong led Razons of Guagua with 30 points for the team’s 111 and 215 tally to remain at second spot with 215, 12 up on Team Time Cargo Logistics which shot 104 and 203 tally.