CEBU CITY — Abe Rosal shot a two-under-par 70 to power defending champion Canlubang to a nine-point lead over Luisita at the start of the Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.

Canlubang, however, may end up playing with only seven men after Tommy Manotoc rushed home due to a family emergency.

Rosal, who took over Manotoc's spot, collected four birdies against a pair of three-putt bogeys to finish with the day's best 56 points.

"I played well today," Rosal said. "I will play when the team asked me to play."

Damasus Wong also rose to the occasion with 52 points while Rolly Viray added 47 as Canlubang amassed 155 points. Mari Hechanova did not count with 46.

Luisita finished with 146 points, drawing 50 from Dan Cruz.

Chino Raymundo and Marty Ilagan contributed 49 and 47, respectively. Newcomer Steve Joel McDonald failed to count with 47.

"I thought we played well," said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova. "Canlubang just played a super game."

Manila Southwoods served notice of its intention by posting 143 points behind Manfred Guangko's 51 points.

Bong Brobio and Ramon Luis Garcia counted with 48 and 44, respectively. Judd Roy did not count with 41.

Del Monte drew 139 points from Romeo Jaraula (51), Crispin Aparilla (47) and Villy Adag (41).

Cebu Country Club, competing in the second-tier Founders division, actually had the second-best score of 150 points, 20 points ahead of Villamor.

Jay Yuvallos led CCC with 53 points followed by Eric Deen and Antonio San Juan with 49 and 48, respectively.

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 first-round results:
CHAMPIONSHIP — Canlubang 155, Luisita 146, Manila Southwoods 143, Del Monte 139
FOUNDERS — Cebu Country Club 150, Villamor 130, Fil-Am Hawaii 128, Camp John Hay 125, Altavista 1 125, Pueblo de Oro 125, Alabang 122
SPORTSWRITER — Club Filipino de Cebu 133, Dirab 114, Guam Seniors 111, San Juanico 111, Leyte 114, Ping Golfer's Club 109, MSU Marawi 107, Rancho Palos Verdes 105, Club Intramuros 103, Paoay 103, Edwin Andrew Airforce Base 98, SFO Alliance 96, Vancouver 95, SFO East Bay 93, Eagle Ridge Lagitek 91, Camp Evangelista 88, PGA British Columbia 87, Cotabato 86, Van City 1 83, Seattle 83, Mabuhay Golf of SFO 83, Filam Fairfield 79, UP Tee Jots 86, Honolulu 74, Moffet Fields 2 60
FRIENDSHIP — Canphil 112, Malaysian Eagle Hunter 101, Davao City 99, West Highlands 97, Parbreakers 87, South Cotabato 84, Mt Malindang 83, Filam NJ 82, Filam NJ 82, Veterans Golf 78, Filam SFO 76, Philam Central Florida 76, West Covina Warriors 74, Filcansa 73, Engineers and Architects (Eagle) 70, Ez Par 70, Moffet Fields Team 1 68, Van City 2 68Pinoy Vancouver 62, Bennett Valley 61, Fil Oz Sydney 63, MSU Marawi 2 61, Sky West 58, Pittsburg Filam 56, Brotherhood Sharp 46, Travellers 45, Tri City 30.