CEBU CITY — Three years after edging Luisita by four shots in Bacolod City, Canlubang returns with an intact lineup, gunning for its 12th title in 17 years in the 35th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships starting on Wednesday.
Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, a short but challenging course nestled 500 feet above nearby beaches, will be the first battleground for the four teams entered in the championship division.
Aside from fierce rivals Canlubang and Luisita, Manila Southwoods and Del Monte make up the premier category.
All four teams are set to tee off at 10:50 a.m. in the front nine.
Each team is allowed to field four players with only three to count. Each player is limited to only two rounds.
Canlubang has the edge in experience, having guys who have been with the team for decades but the age factor could work against the defending champion.
“While the other teams got better, we got older,” said Tommy Manotoc, one of only two players in their seventies playing in the championship division.
Manotoc and teammate Rolly Viray are 74 years old.
He said stamina will play a big role.
“It’s the walking that concerns us because carts are not allowed on the fairways,” said Manotoc, referring to Club Filipino de Cebu.
“The course is playing longer, the fairways are soft and the greens are hard. Long-hitters will have the advantage there,” he said.
Canlubang has only two players in their fifties — Zaldy Villa and Damasus Wong.
Manotoc hinted that younger players would be tapped to play Club Filipino which they believe the battle would be won.
“We will have a weak lineup at Alta Vista but it will still all depends on the situation,” he said.
Luisita won the title the last time the Interclub was held in Cebu in 2019.
“We expect first-round jitters for all players after not having PAL Interclub for the last three years,” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova.
“Team competition is a totally different animal than individual competition. So much pressure to perform well for the team.”
Hechanova said some players will most likely play one course exclusively.
“The plan is also to play conservatively on both courses. We cannot be aggressive,” he said.
Luisita has bolstered its lineup with the acquisition of Marty Ilagan, Ronnie Littaua, and American Steve Joel McDonald, a former serviceman who used to manage Camp John Hay and Anvaya Cove.
After Alta Vista, the championship division will play Club Filipino in the next two rounds before returning to Alta Vista for the final round on Saturday.
The annual event, considered the country’s unofficial national team championship, is supported by platinum sponsors ABS-CBN Global, Asian Journal, Airbus, and NUSTAR Resort and Casino.
Gold sponsors include Radio Mindanao Network, Mastercard, Primax, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, PLDT/Smart and Konsulta MD.
Joining the event as silver sponsors are Philippine National Bank, Biocostech and VISA.
Minor sponsors are Bollore Logistics, Manila Standard, Tanduay Brands International, and Asia Brewery while donors are the Department of Tourism, Ogawa, Newport World Resorts, Rolls Royce and Boeing.
The lineups in the championship division:
Canlubang — Abraham Avena, Jose Ma. Hechanova, Tommy Manotoc, Abe Rosal, Rene Unson, Zaldy Villa, Rolly Viray, Damasus Wong
Luisita — Benjie Sumulong, Demetrio Saclot, Chino Raymundo, Ronnie Littaua, Dan Cruz, Marty Ilagan, Steve Joel McDonald, Rodel Mangulabnan
Manila Southwoods: Junjun Plana, Theodore Pascual, Joseph Tambunting, Manfred Guangko, Thirdy Escano, Ramon Luis Garcia, Bong Brobio, Judd Roy
Del Monte — Ramon Velez, Romeo Jaraula, Raul Minoza, Nesto Apas, Crispin Aparilla, Arsenio Mondilla, Villy Adag, Antonio Arancon.
