BACOLOD CITY — The tree-lined Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, formerly known as Marapara, flashed its teeth right in the first round of the 76th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub Men’s Championship division on Tuesday and saw a hungry Eastridge team gut out a courageous performance for a four-point lead over old tormentor and defending champion Manila Southwoods.

With Rolando Bregente Jr. shooting a one-over-par 71 worth 35 points and Chris Jhon Remata accounting for 33, the Rizal-based squad that finished second to Southwoods in the last two editions of what is known as the country’s unofficial team golf championship recorded 99 points to make its intentions of going all the way this time known.

“We’re happy to be leading despite the conditions,” non-playing skipper Gimo Asuncion said after the team counted either 31s of Gary Sales and Edison Tabalin.

“The course played very difficult — it was windy, hot and, according to my players, control of the ball was almost impossible.”

Southwoods, the champion in five of the last six editions, got 34 points from Perry Bucay, 31 from Filipino-Japanese Shin Suzuki and 30 from Santino Laurel for its 95 as reigning national champion Zeus Sara failed to count after accounting for only 29.

Tagaytay Highlands-Team IMG was just another point behind after Terrence Macatangay matched the best round over the tree-lined layout of 35 points also turned in by Bregente. Francis Bumagat scored 32 and South Korean Steve Yoon had 27 as Tagaytay threw away the 21 of Joaquin Tolentino.

Action shifts to the Bacolod Golf Club for the next two days, and Eastridge still has an ace up its sleeve in Jeff Lumbo waiting in the wings, even as Southwoods has champion ex-pro Jerome Delariarte ready as it tries not to be buried in too deep a hole.

“Jerome will definitely play (in the second round),” Southwoods non-playing captain Thirdy Escaño said, referring to the former The Country Club champion as his “secret weapon, who will be playing and guiding our young players starting in the second round.”

Del Monte, the last team in the centerpiece field, will start the second round 15 points down after getting 30 points from Alexis Nailga, 29 from young Ralph Batican and 25 from Cliff Nuneza.

Meanwhile, Ambagan Golf Club is showing the way in the Aviator division after pooling 88 points built around the 32 points of Frankie Custodio and the 31 of Wilmer Linuaje over at Bacolod Golf Club (BGC). The team also counted either 25s of Francisco Paita Jr. or Joey Cordero to pace Club Filipino de Cebu.

The Veterans Golf Club was another three points back, with Camp Aguinaldo another point behind.

Brittannika Team 2 opened up an eight-point lead over Camp Evangelista Golf Club in the Sportswriters division after getting 31 points from Travis Jay Cadungog, 28 from Ariel Tabiling and 17 from Mario Gunabe in pooling 76 also at BGC.

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.

Complete Day 1 results:

CHAMPIONSHIP — Eastridge 99, Manila Southwoods 95, Tagaytay Highlands Team IMG 94, Del Monte 84

FOUNDERS — Canlubang 99, Cebu 95, Riviera 94, Brittanika 92, Negros Occidental Team 1 91, Team Brookside 90, Sherwood Hills 87, Tagaytay Midlands Team IMG 85, Bacolod Team 1 85, The Orchard 84, Forest Hills 82, Wack Wack 82, Rancho Palos Verdes 82, Pueblo de Oro 81, Iligan 79, Filam LA 1 79, Filam Fairway 77, Apo 1 77, Valley Golf 77, Villamor Air Base 77, Zamboanga 71, Alabang 69, Fairway and Bluewater Boracay 59, MSU Team 1 57

AVIATOR — Ambagan 88, Club Filipino de Cebu Inc 83, Veterans 80, Camp Aguinaldo 79, South Pacific 78, Summit Point 78, Alta Vista 76, Eagleridge 76, San Juanico 76, Illana Bay GCC-FTB 74, South Cotabato 73, Negros Occidental Team 2 73, Tagaytay Country Club Lucky 9 72, Southern California Redhawk 72, Davao City FTB 1 71, Baguio Country Club 71, Lagitek International 70, Lumbia 69, Guinhalaran 68, Dona Pepita 67, Filam Fairfield 64, UP Tee Jots 63, Norcal Filam 61, Negros International 60,Iloilo 53

SPORTSWRITERS — Brittannika Team 2 76, Camp Evangelista 68, Rancho Palos Verdes 67, Filipino Golfers in the Middle East Dubai 64, West Highland 60, Seattle 59, Apo Team B 57, Greenhills West 57, Yokohama Eagles 55, Pilipino Golf Association of British Columbia 50, Liloan 49, Sarangani 49, Golden Gate 48, Filam LA 2 46, San Francisco Bay 44, MSU Team 2 43, Lanang 43, Pearl Kai Hawaii 42, Filipino Golfers in the Middle East UAE 40, Philippine Golf Club of New England 33, Green Tee Club Riyadh 32, Club Filipino Inc de Cebu Team 2 32

FRIENDSHIP — Van City 50, Brittannika Team 3 48, Davao City 44, Paoay 42, Paraiso 39, Filipino Golfers Association in Kuwait 38, Fil OZ Sydney 36, Filam LA 3 19, Silicon Valley 5.