CEBU CITY — Cebu Country Club rode on a pair of 46 points from team captain Carl Almario and Jufil Sato to cling to a two-point lead over Luisita in the Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships on Friday.
Playing for the second straight day at Club Filipino de Cebu, CCC moved on the threshold of making history as the first team from the Founders division to win the overall championship.
CCC, also drawing 41 from Antonio San Juan, amassed 133 points to hike its total to 423 points.
“We are happy to have a chance to make history but again our chances will depend on our third and fourth guy tomorrow,” Almario said.
Going into the final round, he said Eric Deen and Korean Kyu Ok On are as good as anyone in the tournament.
“We are counting on brothers Jay and Nelson Yuvallos to pull a surprise,” Almario said.
Luisita, however, is poised to strike after posting 138 for 421 points.
Benjie Sumulong, playing for the second straight day, led Luisita with 48 while Ronnie Littaua and Demy Saclot added 46 and 44, respectively.
On paper, the 2019 champion has a formidable lineup on the final day at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club — Dan Cruz, Rodel Mangulabnan, Chino Raymundo and Steve Joel McDonald.
Sumulong, however, would not count on that.
“Whoever handles the pressure tomorrow better will win,” he said.
Sumulong said they were surprised to see Canlubang field Abe Rosal in the third round.
“We were expecting Abe to play at Alta Vista where he shot 56 points last Wednesday,” he said.
Manila Southwoods moved to third position with 416 after submitting 134 points.
Junjun Plana debuted with 48 points while Joseph Tambunting added 46. The 40 of either Thirdy Escano or Theodore Pascual counted for the team.
The embattled Canlubang squad slipped to third with 413 after a poor 125 points.
Abe Rosal, the team’s top gunner, fired 48 points while Zaldy Villa chipped in 41.
Rene Unson, however, could only chalk up 36 points.
Canlubang will now rely on Damasus Wong, Rolly Viray, Abraham Avena and Mari Hechanova to pull off a big comeback in the final round.
CCC opened a 33-point lead over Orchard in the Founders division with Riviera in third place, just one behind Orchard.
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 partial third-round results:
CHAMPIONSHIP — Luisita 421 (146-137-138), Manila Southwoods 416 (143-139-134), Canlubang 413 (155-133-125), Del Monte 392 (139-126-127)
FOUNDERS — Cebu Country Club 423 (150-140-133), Orchard 390 (139-127-124), Riviera 389 (141-126-122), Villamor 356 (130-117-109)
AVIATOR — Mimosa 374 (103-141-130), Iloilo 360 (123-119-118), Camp Aguinaldo 350 (94-139-117), Zamboanga 342 (113-124-105), SF Maharlika 338 (105-143-90), Sarangani 336 (110-117-109), Cebu Country Club 2 334 (114-115-105), Forest Hills 321 (101-114-106), Lanang 273 (98-106-69)
SPORTSWRITERS — Club Filipino de Cebu 343 (133-98-112), Edwin Andrews Airforce Base 305 (98-89-118), MSU Marawi 297 (107-81-109), San Juanico 295 (111-93-91), Rancho Palos Verdes 292 (105-91-96), Paoay 287 (103-88-96), Leyte Golf Club 285 (114-66-105), Eagle Ridge Lagitek 284 (91-90-103), Dirab Golf and Country Club 281 (114-75-92), Ping Golfers’ Club 281 (109-85-87), SFO Alliance of Golfers 276 (96-98-82), Van City Golf Club Team 1 276, Vancouver Golf Association 275 (95-90-90), Cotabato 275 (86-96-93), Guam Seniors 271 (111-62-98), PGA British Columbia 269 (87-94-88), SFO East Bay Club 265 (93-93-79), Mabuhay Golf of SFO 264 (83-82-99), Camp Evangelista 262 (88-72-102), Club Intramuros 257 (103-92-62), FilAm Fairfield 248 (79-66-103), Seattle Golf 244 (83-67-94), UP Tee Jots 241 (86-65-90), Honolulu Golf Club 207 (74-72-61), Moffett Field Team 2 190 (60-45-85)
FRIENDSHIP – Malaysian Eagle Hunters 316 (99-105-112), Davao City Golf Club 300 (99-98-103), West Highlands 291 (97-92-102), Veterans Golf 285 (78-88-119), Canphil Golf Association 284 (112-82-90), South Cotabato 270 (84-94-92), Engineers and Architects 268 (70-106-92), West Covina Warriors 251 (74-92-85), Travellers Golf 248 (45-99-104), Parbreakers 246 (87-68-91), Fil Oz Sydney 244 (61-99-84), Mt Malindang 235 (83-63-89), FilAm SFO 227 (76-65-86), EZ Par Golf Club 226 (70-101-55), Pinoy Vancouver 224 (62-69-93), FilAm NJ 223 (82-79-62), Philam Central Florida 221 (49-79-93), Van City Golf Club Team 2 214 (68-76-70), Moffett Field Team 1 206 (68-66-72), MSU Marawi 196 (61-67-68), Brotherhood Sharp 194 (46-79-69), Bennett Valley 186 (61-65-60), Skywest 185 (58-64-63), Tri City Golf 184 (30-81-73), Pittsburg FilAm 183 (64-55-64), Filcansa Golf Club 150 (73-45-32).
