DAVAO CITY — Cebu Country Club (CCC) still managed to stay in front despite a so-so third round output yesterday but saw its previous 10-point lead slashed down to just seven with one round left in the 65th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub Golf Tournament at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club here.
CCC scored 122 points yesterday, in the centerpiece Championship division, their lowest output of the tournament so far and finished with a three-day total of 379, a mere seven points ahead of defending champions, Del Monte, which tallied 125 for a three-day total of 372.
CCC is aiming to become the first team from Cebu to hoist the Championship division trophy since its inception 65 years ago.
Carl Almario led the Cebuanos with 32 points capped by a tap-in birdie on the 18th. He was backstopped by Jovi Neri (31), team captain Ramontito Garcia (30) and Bayani Garcia (29). Marko Sarmiento’s 27 did not count.
Del Monte meanwhile, leaned on the 35-point performance of Leonardo Lofranco and the 34 of skipper Yoyong Velez. Magno Arancon (30) and Mark Mondilla (26) were the team’s other scorers.
“A seven-point lead is very slim, only two points per player. But a lead is a lead and we’ll take it,” said Neri, the team’s spokesperson.
This sets up the stage for today’s fiercely-contested final round at the Apo Golf and Country Club, with both CCC and Del Monte bringing in their big guns.
GO LEADS CCC’S FINAL ROUND CHARGE
CCC will field in a quintet that includes the team’s highest scorer in the tournament so far, 17-year old Lloyd Jefferson Go, who had an even par 72, good for 36 points, in the second round. He will be joined by Gio Gandionco, Mark Dy, Eric Deen and Montito Garcia. Del Monte will counter with former national champion, Clyde Mondilla, Bunny Abano, Lawrence Cubillo, Noel Langamin and JJ Gamolo.
Go, an awardee in the upcoming Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC) All-Cebu Sports Awards next month, remains optimistic about their title chances.
“Not such a good day for CCC, but we finished strong today. Another day tomorrow, let’s get them,” he said.
First day leader, Alabang actually logged the day’s best score of 130 points, capped by the one-under par 72 of Justin Quiban, good for 37 points. It’s the first time this year that a golfer had gone under par. Dax Garcia added 34, Ar Ramos had 30 while Jama Reyes chipped in 29.
However, Alabang is 14 points behind the Cebuanos with 358 points.
Over in the Founder’s division, Alta Vista remained outside of the top 10 after scoring 105 yesterday for a 301 total. Edsel Tan paced Alta Vista with 28 points while Victor Gocela and David Park each had 26s. Marvin Mendoza added 25. Wack Wack continues to lead the division with 353 points after shooting 120 yesterday.
The Sportswriters division saw Mactan get a 73, with Pio Barandong scoring 23 points. Olin Seno and Kim Agatep each had 17s while Gungun Gica chipped in 16.
Club Filipino meanwhile, had its best round of the competition with an 80. Evans Tumaliwan led the team with 25 points backstopped by Ted Almario (22) Victor Yuvallos (19) and Lito Barino (14).