5-team royal rumble looms at Marapara

BACOLOD CITY — Order was restored in the 76th Philippine Airlines Interclub as Luisita and Canlubang returned to their familiar roles going into the final round at Bacolod Golf Club on Wednesday.

Luisita, getting 53 points from Ferdie Barbosa, shot a second-straight 145 points to tie Canlubang for the lead with identical 419 points, just a point ahead of defending champion Del Monte.

Erstwhile leader Bacolod Team B has slipped into a tie with Manila Southwoods for fourth place, both teams at 416 points apiece. With just three points separating five teams, Thursday’s showdown promises to be a thrilling battle royale.

Barbosa, who carded a steady round with one birdie and two bogeys, got strong support from teammates Marty Ilagan (47) and Chino Raymundo (45) as Luisita bounced back from a tough opening round at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.

“After being down by eight on the first day, we believed we had the stronger team for the second and third days,” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova. “Luckily, our strategy worked, and we’re tied with Canlubang going into the final day.”

Hechanova acknowledged the loss of two key players from last year, but added, “We’ve grinded it out and are still in contention.”

Canlubang remained strong, with balanced scoring from Rolly Viray (48), Abe Rosal (47), and Abraham Avena (45), keeping them in the thick of the race.

Del Monte matched Luisita’s 145 points behind Arsenio Mondilla’s 51, Crispin Aparilla’s 49, and Romeo Jaraula’s 45.

Bacolod Team B, the Founders division leader, is still in the hunt for history, despite a four-point penalty for pick-up rule violations.

Julius Susarno followed up his impressive 58-point performance with 52, leading Bacolod, but his teammates faltered, with Primitivo Tabujara and Allan Magallanes contributing only 40 and 39, respectively.

Manila Southwoods remains a serious threat, having posted a gutsy 140 points at Binitin. Joseph Tambunting shot 48, Monet Garcia added 47, and Judd Roy chipped in with 45. With 416 points overall, Southwoods is only three points off the lead.

“It’s going to be a free-for-all tomorrow,” said Junjun Plana, who will lead Southwoods’ final-day charge.

The 76th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by Platinum sponsors PRIMAX Broadcasting Network and Asian Journal.

Mastercard is a gold sponsor while RMN is a silver sponsor.

ABS-CBN Global is joining as a bronze sponsor while VISA, Philippine National Bank, SM Bacolod, Tanduay and Asia Brewery are minor sponsors. Citadines is a hotel partner.

Standings after three rounds:

CHAMPIONSHIP

Luisita 419 (129-145-145), Canlubang 419 (137-142-140), Del Monte 418 (132-141-145), Manila Southwoods 416 (132-144-140), Bacolod Team B 416 (148-141-131), Cebu Country Club 406 (136-138-132), Alabang Country Club 391 (117-135-139), Filam Hawaii 376 (122-127-127), MSU Marawi 360 (112-131-117), Coral Ocean Point 336 (102-121-113), Engineers and Architects 242 (70-87-87)

FOUNDERS

The Orchard 407 (132-138-137), Camp Aguuinaldo 399(136-132-131), Negros Occidental Team A 395 (137-134-124), Club Filipino de Cebu Team 1 388 (136-130-122), Sherwood Hills 384 (126-131-127), Sta Elena 380 (130-121-129), South Pacific Davao 377 (123-121-133), Valley Golf 376 (128-131-117), Tagaytay Highlands 375 (133-114-128), Zamboanga 374 (132-117-125), Pueblo de Oro 367 (126-119-122), SF Maharlika 365 (120-109-136), Eagleridge 364 (120-108-136), Riviera 356 (116-121-119), Guinhalaran 351 (126-101-124), UP Tee Jots 349 (112-114-123), Wack Wack 340 (104-122-114), Villamor Air Base 339 (109-118-112), Fairways and Blue Water 336 (112-114-110), Baguio 313 (112-96-107)

AVIATOR

Apo 349 (113-120-116), Veterans 342 (112-117-113), Tagaytay Midlands 336 (88-124-124), PAR 2000 332 (124-107-103), Davao City 331 (106-113-112), Mimosa Plus 330 (103-120-107), Forest Hills 329 (109-114-106), Iloilo 324 (100-115-109), Sarangani 319 (110-104-105), Via Verde LA 313 (101-105-107), Iligan 312 (99-104-109), Filam Fairfield South 312 (99-114-99), Alta Vista 308 (84-111-113), Lanang 307 (91-110-106), Rancho Palos Verdes 306 (82-106-118), Negros International 305 (89-118-98), Beverly Place 305 (107-96-102), Dirab 303 (76-107-120), Edwin Andrews air Force Base 301 (96-99-106), Cotabato 298 (105-98-95), Boogie Buddies Filgolfers 295 (96-85-114), Paoay 294 (101-95-98), South Bay of California 293 (87-110-96), Club Intramuros 293 (101-92-100), Mt Malindang 288 (85-102-101), FilAm Sacramento 287 (82-95-110), Dakak 286 (90-105-91), Guam Seniors 285 (97-97-91), Napa de Oro Winery 278 (94-96-88), Philam Florida 237 (60-100-77), MSU Marawi Team 2 173 (53-60-60),

SPORTSWRITERS

San Juanico 312 (104-104-104), Bacolod Team A 296 (96-100-100), Leyte 295 (105-82-108), Moffet Field Team 1 287 (104-85-98), Filcansa 285 (102-86-97), West Highlands 284 (89-97-98), Pittsburgh Filam 283 (107-105-71), Guam Seals 282 (107-77-102), PGS British Columbia 280 (96-88-96), Ping Golfers 276 (103-79-94), Pearl Kai 270 (102-78-90), Liloan 262 (89-79-94), Skywest 249 (92-80-81), Camp Evangelista 249 (91-62-96), Mabuhay Golf of SFO 240 (79-100-61), Pinoy Vancouver 239 (88-85-66), Guam Taotaomona 235 (77-76-82), Moffet Field Team 2 234 (102-53-79), Illana Bay 231 (88-67-75), South Cotabato 230 (71-82-87), Filam New Jersey 228 (87-74-67), E-Yona of Guam 226 (86-76-64), Pinoy Twilight 219 (81-78-66), Filam SFO 217 (76-78-63), Philippine Golf Club of New England 213 (82-64-67), Guam Compadres 205 (68-63-74), Filam Fairfield North 198 (58-76-64), Bennet Valley 177 (44-63-70)

FRIENDSHIP

Simbolo Peninsula 254 (65-92-97), Seattle Team A 251 (62-102-87), Canfil 249 (68-90-99), SF East Bay 242 (62-112-80), Fil Oz Sydney235 (80-70-87), Brotherhood Sharp 212 (56-87-69), West Covina Warriors 193 (55-72-66).