CEBU CITY — Cebu Country Club surged on top of the leaderboard in the Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships following a superb round at the Club Filipino de Cebu in Danao Thursday.

Competing in the second-tier Founders division, CCC collected 140 points to overtake defending champion Canlubang in the overall race.

Japanese Jufil Sato anchored CCC's run with 50 points with team captain Carl Almario and Korean Kyu Ok On adding 49 and 41 points, respectively.

Almario was surprised to learn that they were leading the tournament with a total of 290 points.

"We did not expect to be contending for the overall title although we practiced hard as a team in the last two weeks," he said.

Almario said they were fortunate to score well in the first round despite fielding only one low-handicapped player in Eric Deen.

Jay Yuvallos, who carries a nine-handicap, shot 53 points, including three chipped-in birdies in the back nine last Wednesday.

Almario, however, is not ready to talk about winning the overall crown.

"It would be quite a feat but our focus remains on the Founders division," he said.

"We only have four strong players in the squad."

CCC leads Riviera by 23 points in the Founders division.

No team has won the senior's title outside the championship division. Since 1999, no team besides Canlubang and Luisita has captured the senior's crown.

Canlubang, hurt by Tommy Manotoc's sudden departure, scored 133 points for 288, two shots fewer than CCC.

Zaldy Villa led Canlubang with 48 points while Rene Unson and Abe Avena added 44 and 41 points. Tony Olives, took the spot left by Manotoc, did not count with 38 points.

Manotoc, 74, rushed home on Wednesday because of a family emergency.

Luisita inched closer with 137 points, cutting Canlubang's lead to five.

Ronnie Littaua fired 47 while Rodel Mangulabnan and Benjie Sumulong chipped in 46 and 44, respectively.

Manila Southwoods outscored Canlubang and Luisita with 139 points to bring its total to 282 points.

Scoring for the Carmona-based squad were Manfred Guangko 47, Ramon Luis Garcia 46, and Bong Brobio 46.

A poor fourth was Del Monte Golf Club with 265 after submitting 126 points.

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.

Partial first-round results:
CHAMPIONSHIP — Canlubang 288, Luisita 283, Manila Southwoods 282, Del Monte 265
FOUNDERS — Cebu Country Club 290, Riviera 267, Orchard 266, Villamor 247, Wack Wack 246, Negros Occidental 246, Alabang 245, Alta Vista 1 244, Sherwood Hills 243, Fil-Am Hawaii 239, Pueblo de Oro 236, Guinhalaran 234, Eagle Ridge 230, Camp John Hay 229
AVIATOR — SF Maharlika 248, Mimosa 244, Iloilo 242, Zamboanga 237, Camp Aguinaldo 233, Cebu Country Club 2 229, Sarangani 227, Forest Hills 215, Team Tuga 207, Southern California Redhawk 205, Lanang 204, Boggie Buddies Filgolfers 202, Bacolod Country Club 201, Baguio Country Club 195, Via Verde La 190, Guam Seals 187, E-Yona 178, Bay Area Golf Org. 2 174, Lumbia 171, Liloan 166, Golf and Country Club of Iligan 157, Fort Bonifacio 157, SF Peninsula 151, Guam Compadres 124.