PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF ADRIAN FLORES MEMBERS of Manila Southwoods Team 2 are shown after winning the Am-Championship in the 72nd Fil-Am Men’s Invitational in Baguio City. From left: Masaichi Otake, Lanz Uy, Shinichi Suzuki, Leandro Bagtas, Josh Jorge, non-playing captain Thirdy Escano and Southwoods sports director Jerome Delariarte. Not in photo is Marc Lu.
BAGUIO CITY — Manila Southwoods swept the Fil and Am championship divisions as expected, going unchallenged at the close of the 72nd Fil-Am Men's Invitational Sunday.
Carl Corpus emerged as a class of his own, shooting a second-straight 37 points at the Baguio Country Club to lead the Carmona-based squad.
He is the only player to break par on the short, tricky course that features narrow fairways and elevated greens.
"I don't know why but I love this course. There's a homey vibe. I love to play with plenty of people," said the 21-year-old standout at San Jose State University.
Unlike last Saturday when he missed only two greens, Corpus said he made a lot of up-and-downs.
He drained a 13-foot birdie putt on the final hole to run away with the Group 1 individual title with 146 points, two under regulation.
After the Christmas season, Corpus said he will fly back to the United States to resume his studies.
A member of the national team, he said he's always ready to represent the country if called upon.
Southwoods played with only four men after Aidric Chan had to catch a plane to take an examination at the University of Arizona.
As it turned out, Southwoods needed only two players to get the job done.
"They (Southwoods) could have played only nine holes today and still win," said Raymond Bunquin, general manager of second-placed Forest Hills.
A feverish Jeff Jung turned in 34 points while Gab Manotoc and Kristoffer Arevalo added 29 and 28, respectively.
Southwoods totaled 541 points, routing Forest Hills by 68. SPES Team 1 took third with 465 points.
"Win or lose, we always come to every tournament 100 percent," said Escano who now looks forward to the Philippine Airlines Interclub in February.
"Two of our players won't be able to play due to studies and another two would turn pro but we still have a lot to tap for the Interclub."
Forest Hills rallied from four points down to edge SPES Team 1 for second place.
Veteran Rodel Mangulabnan rose to the occasion with 30 points while Edison Tabalin and Inigo Raymundo chipped in 29 apiece.
With Joshua Buenaventura contributing 28, the Antipolo-based squad pooled 116 points to finish with 473 points.
"We are happy to finish second in two divisions. Hopefully, we can do better next time," Bunquin said.
SPES Team 1 closed with 104 for 465. The scorers were Marvin Mendoza 28, Bayani Garcia 27, Peter Tyler Po III 27 and Justin Limjap 22.
Over at Camp John Hay, Manila Southwoods posted 138 points to complete a 71-point triumph over Royal Northwoods.
Shinichi Suzuki and Marc Lu each carded 35 points while Leandro Bagtas and Lanz Uy added 34 apiece.
Northwoods posted its best score in the tournament, assembling 128 points to hold off Valley Golf for second place.
Santino Pineda, the 15-year-old team captain, led Northwoods with 35 points followed by Patrick Gene Tambalque 34, Tristan Jefferson Padilla 33 and Zach Villaroman 26.
Valley Golf drew 36 points from Roy Nudalo to wind up with 127 and 433 overall. Also scoring were Damasus Wong 33, Zaldy Villa 29 and Adrian Mauricio 29.
Elsewhere, Baguio Country Club Team 1 topped the Fil-B division with 349 points while Team Surigao-Kairo ruled Am-B with 390.
