BAGUIO CITY — Abe Rosal led the charge with a game-high 39 points as Luisita kicked off its defense of the Fil-Championship title, posting a total of 132 points at the 75th Fil-Am Invitational held at John Hay Golf on Saturday.

Rosal dazzled with eight birdies against five bogeys to finish with a three-under-par 66.

Luisita’s strong showing was bolstered by Ferdie Barbosa (32), Benjie Sumulong (31), and Ronnie Littaua (30), all contributing 30 points or more. Nineteen points behind, Riviera Golf tallied 113 points, with top contributions from Kyung Young Jung (33), Chan Yeong Gim (30), Erwin Mendiola (26), and Cipriano Abdon (24). Valley Golf rounded out the top three with 110 points.

Meanwhile, over at Baguio Country Club, the Green Water Seniors surged into the lead with 104 points, a comfortable 21-point cushion over Mamala Bay. Their scoring team featured Suny Fontilea (30), Tommy Manotoc (25), Roland Punzalan (25) and Douglas Puckett (24).

Other division leaders included Baguio Country Club Team 1 in Fil-A, Benlife Seniors Team 1 in Fil-C, Fil-Golfers of Hawaii Team 1 in Fil-E, Sandigan 82 Team 2 in Am-C, and Benlife Seniors Team 2 in Am-E.

Luisita’s strong start sets the tone for an exciting Fil-Championship defense, while standout performances across all divisions show the high level of competition in this year’s invitational.

Saturday’s results:

Fil-Championship — Luisita 132, Riviera Golf 113, Valley 110, Srixon IMG Team 1 107, Leeward Fil-Am of Hawaii 86

Fil-A — Baguio Country Club Team 1 198 (98-100), John Hay Golf 197 (84-113), Baguio Blue Bloods 190 (96-94), FODC Team 188 (92-96), Fil-Am Golfers of New York Team 1 177 (96-81), Team Okinawa 1 176 (82-94), Dugong Bughaw 108 (51-57)

Fil-C — Benlife Seniors Team 1 188 (90-98), Golden Razcals 179 (81-98), Team City of Vallejo 1 164 (76-88), Pugo Adventure 158 (70-88), Fil-Am Golf of Florida Team 1 154 (80-74), Waterlympics Pampanga 152 (77-75), Toyota 147 (70-77), Breathe Baguio 132 (66-66), Team Mcder 1 117 (50-67)

Fil-E — Fil-Golfers of Hawaii Team 1 85, Torogi 71, Davao Masters 68, ICSI/TMI Team 1 66, Luzon Bankers 52, Bahia-LSGH80 47, Mountaineers Golf Club 47, Palm Grove 46

Am-Championship — Green Water Seniors 104, Mamala Bay 83, Srixon IMG Team 2 82, Summit Point 81, Team CAGC Seniors 79

Am-C — Sandigan 82 Team 2 145 (70-75), IGC Travelers 142 (66-76), Bughaw Golfers 134 (78-56), Sandiwa Golf Club Team 2 127 (44-83), 3K Immipugo 125 (52-73), Dagupan Barkadahan 113 (57-56), Maringal Talap Talap 88 GC 108 (52-56), Drajdan 106 (54-52), Eastridge-Pakers Flag 103 (62-41), Guam Seniors 97 (42-55)

Am-E — Benlife Seniors Team 2 61, Ultraflite 2 58, Team City of Vallejo 2 57, Caliphil-Hawaii 53, Team Okinawa 2 32, Fil-Am Golfers of New York Team 2 20, Miners Golf Team 20, La Barakos Team 2 19, Fil-Golfers of Hawaii Team 2 18, Macquaire Links Sydney Team 2 14, Fil-Am Golfers of Florida Team 2 12.