BACOLOD. — Eastridge-Primehomes didn’t show signs of letting up on Thursday, pooling a second straight 105 points behind Chris Remata’s career-best Philippine Airlines Interclub round, and the Binangonan-based boosted its bid for its first Men’s Championship division crown by taking a 14-point lead over powerhouse Manila Southwoods into the final round.
Remata had seven birdies in a three-under-par 67 worth 39 points at Bacolod Golf Club (formerly Binitin), Rolando Bregente Jr. accounted for 34 and either of the 32s of Alex Bisera and young Vito Sarines counted as Eastridge totaled 309 after three rounds.
Defending champion Southwoods faces the tough job of erasing what could be the biggest final-round deficit it has faced in a dominant run that started last decade.
“We need to perform well on the final day,” said team leader Gary Sales, who will play in the final round with Edison Tabalin, Ronel Taga-an and pro-bound Jeff Lumbo. “We know what Southwoods can do. Coming from behind is not new to that team.”
Shinichi Suzuki fired 38 points, Patrick Tambalque carded 36 and Emil Hernandez fired 34 as Southwoods outscored Eastridge for the first time this week, something which prompted non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano not to throw in the towel.
“It will be very difficult, but it’s not impossible,” Escano said as he fields in Zeus Sara, Perry Bucay, Santino Laurel and Mico Granda to do the improbable. “We will need at least two super rounds (in the final round).”
The last 18 holes of the 76th playing of what is regarded as the unofficial team golf championship in the land will be played at tree-lined Marapara.
Tagaytay Highlands-Team IMG slipped to third after accounting for only 88 points led by the 33 of Ace Stehmeier, trailing Eastridge by 29 and Southwoods by 15.
“I am very happy with how I played, how I was able to help the team,” Remata, the Davao native who is entertaining thoughts of turning pro before the end of the year, said. “This is my best performance (in the Interclub) and I am glad that it came on the day it did.”
Canlubang Golf reclaimed the lead in the Founders bracket after tallying 99 points at Negros Occidental Golf, and Country Club (formerly Marapara) led by the tournament-best 40 points of John Bernis.
The Sugar Barons opened up a 16-point lead over Cebu Country Club and Negros OGCC with their 284 tally as Fernando Zadariagga scored 30 and Carlo Quimson 29.
Cebu CC struggled big time with just 79 points led by the 30 of Bayani Garcia while Negros OGCC caught up in a second-place tie after shooting 88 led by the 34 of local bet Chepe Dulay.
Riviera Golf trails the joint second placers by one point after shooting an 81 built around the 28 of Eric Gozo and 27 of Gerald Katigbak.
Cangolf will try to wrap up the Founders title at Binitin also Friday.
The 76th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by Platinum sponsors PRIMAX Broadcasting Network and Asian Journal.
