BACOLOD CITY. — On a day when par was considered a solid score at the demanding Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, Canlubang took a slim one-point lead over Cebu Country Club at the start of the 76th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub Monday.
Canlubang amassed 137 points, with Jesse Hernandez leading the charge, contributing 47 points—one of the day’s standout individual performances.
“It’s always good to be ahead,” said Canlubang captain Tony Olives, who also drew a pair of 45 points from Damasus Wong and Santiago Santos.
Hernandez started with birdie and par but picked up on the par-3 third hole after shanking an eight-iron tee shot.
CCC rode on a couple of 46s by Montito Garcia and Carl Almario to move into strong contention. Rounding out CCC’s score was Sato Jufil.
Defending champion Del Monte and Manila Southwoods shared third with identical 132 points, three points ahead of many-time winner Luisita.
Del Monte drew 46s from Raul Minoza and Yoyong Velez and 40 from Ernesto Apas.
Junjun Plana scored his senior career-worst 47 to lead Southwoods, which collected 45 from Judd Roy and 40 from Theody Pascual.
With five teams separated by just eight points, it’s still anyone’s race.
Marapara’s length and strong winds challenged the golfers, but nothing compared to the 626-yard 18th hole, where reaching it in regulation was nearly impossible.
Velez said he used a driver, followed by two three-woods, but still came up short. He also mentioned the par-4 17th, where he couldn’t reach the green with a three-wood either.
The championship division moves to the Bacolod Golf Club on Tuesday.
Also at NOGCC, PAR 2000 showed the way in the Aviator division with 124 points, 12 points ahead of Veterans. Sarangani was running third.
Over at Bacolod Golf Club, Pittsburgh Fil-Am carded 107 points to open a two-point lead over Leyte Golf Club. Moffet Field and San Juanico Golf were tied for third with 104 apiece.
The 76th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by Platinum sponsors PRIMAX Broadcasting Network and Asian Journal.
