BAGUIO—Eastridge Primehomes softened Manila Southwoods final-day charge with balanced scoring to capture its first Fil Championship title and put an end to the latter’s bid for a piece of history at the close of the 74th Januarius Fil Am Invitational at the Baguio Country Club.
Jeffren Lumbo had a modest one-under-par card at the turn, then headed home with a two-over to finish with 35 points. Rolando Bregente supported with a 33 and Jhondie Quibol and Ronel Taga-an each added 32 for 132, pushing Eastridge’s four-day total to 554.
Manila Southwoods banked on the 35 of Jet Hernandez, 33s of Enrique Dimayuga and Coby Rolida and 28 of Miko Granada to give the Carmona-based squad 545 in the largest and longest amateur team championships in the world according to the Guinness Book.
“We lost fair and square,” said Southwoods’ skipper Thirdy Escaño. “I don’t want to make any excuses. Hats off to Eastridge which played very well for four days.”
For next year, Escaño explained: “We are going to try harder. It is back to the drawing board to come up with better strategies. All things do come to an end. Maybe this is a wake-up call. We’ll return stronger.”
Januarius Private Equity wound up third with 512 after a 108. Masa Otake sparkled with a 31, Terence Macatangay had a 27. The 25s of Jet Mathay and Raymond Sangil counted in the five-to-play, four-to-count format.
The Am Championship crown went to Manila Southwoods Team 2 (142-525) edging out Eastridge Primehomes Team 2 (151-518).
Rounding out the top five were Batangas Barakos (119-467), Januarius Private Equity 2 (129-449) and Valley Golf (116-400).
Other division winners were CJHGC-1 (Fil A), Time Cargo (Am A), Pearl Kai (Fil B), CJHGC-2 (Am B), MCG/Edmari (Fil C), Green Jacket (Am C), Team Phoas of Uraguns (Fil D), Palm Grove (Am D), Fil Golfers of Hawaii (Fil E) and Royal Northwoods (Am D).
