BAGUIO CITY — Luisita is inching closer to retaining the Fil-Championship division crown, even as John Hay Golf, Golden Razcals, Moto, and Bughaw Golfers claimed the first titles of the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational on Tuesday.

The Baguio Country Club, the shorter of the two courses used in the tournament, proved to be a tricky test even for the top contenders, with Luisita falling short of the century mark. Still, the Sweeties managed to outscore Riviera, posting 96 points to improve their total to 355, a comfortable 31 points ahead of their rivals.

Leading Luisita was Abe Rosal with 27 points, though his round was marred by six bogeys and two pickups. Teammates struggled as well: Benjie Sumulong scored 25, an injured Ronnie Littaua contributed 23, and Ferdie Barbosa added 21.

Riviera, meanwhile, collected 90 points, powered by Kyung Young Jung (24), Chan Yeong Gim (23), Koji Yasuma (22), and Ryan Abdon (21).

In other divisions, John Hay Golf captured Fil-A with 366 points, Golden Razcals topped Fil-C with 323, Moto won Am-A with 329, and Bughaw Golfers dominated Am-C with 319 points.

Over at John Hay Golf, the Green Water Seniors and Mamala Bay are locked in a nail-biting duel for the top spot, separated by just two points.

Green Water drew 106 points from Tommy Manotoc (31), Douglas Puckett (26), Roland Punzalan (26), and Suny Fontilea (23). With a total of 288 points, Green Water is bracing for a final-day showdown with Mamala Bay, which posted 116 points on Tuesday.

Tuesday’s results:

Fil-Ch — Luisita 355 (132-127-96), Riviera 324 (113-121-90), Srixon IMG Team 1 320 (107-119-94), Valley 299 (110-85-104), Leeward Fil-Am of Hawaii 244 (86-82-76)

Fil-A — John Hay Golf 366 (84-113-81-88), Baguio Blue Bloods 352 (96-94-82-80), FODC 346 (92-96-74-84), Baguio Country Club Team 1 346 (98-100-68-80), Team Okinawa 1 336 (82-94-78-82), Fil-Am Golfers of New York Team 1 322 (96-81-69-76), Dugong Bughaw 199 (51-57-50-41)

Fil-C — Golden Razcals 323 (81-98-73-71), Benlife Seniors Team 1 306 (90-98-51-67), Waterlympics Pampanga 294 (77-75-71-71), Team City of Vallejo 1 280 (76-88-60-56), Pugo Adventure 276 (70-88-55-63), Toyota 269 (70-77-63-59), Breathe Baguio 264 (66-66-63-69), Fil-Am Golf of Florida Team 1 256 (80-74-46-56), Team McDer 1 229 (50-67-56-56)

Fil-E

Am-Championship — Green Water Seniors 288 (104-78-106), Mamala Bay 286 (83-87-116), Summit Point 276 (81-93-102), Srixon IMG Team 2 252 (82-75-95), Team CAGC Seniors 226 (79-76-71)

Am-A — Moto 329 (74-83-83-89), The Young Ones 320 (78-72-90-80), Tigermade Maagir 307 (58-77-97-75), Baguio Beans 291 (80-74-69-68), Maragtas LLC 272 (59-69-69-75), San Francisco Golf Warriors 213 (62-62-43-46)

Am-C — Bughaw Golfers 319 (78-56-98-87), Sandigan 82 Team 2 294 (70-75-72-77), 3K Immipugo 286 (52-73-98-63), IGC Travelers 284 (66-76-65-77), Dagupan Barkadahan 276 (57-56-90-73), Sandiwa Golf Club Team 2 266 (44-83-63-76), Drajdan 258 (54-52-72-80), Maringal Talap Talap 88 GC 234 (52-56-55-71), Eastridge-Pakers Flag 229 (62-41-71-55), Guam Seniors 219 (42-55-56-66).