DAVAO CITY — The drums are beating here in Davao City.

When the 77th Philippine Airlines Interclub kicks off on Monday, it won’t simply signal the start of another tournament — it will mark the beginning of a reckoning.

Defending champion Eastridge stands firm, guarding its crown. Manila Southwoods lurks close, focused, and relentless. Two giants. One battlefield.

But in a twist to this year’s narrative, the Championship Division will watch from the sidelines on Day 1. Under the new tournament format, the title contenders open their campaign with a rest day — a pause before the storm.

While the other divisions fire the opening shots, the heavyweights will wait, study, and sharpen their edge.

The calm comes first. Then the clash.

Eastridge marches into battle with a core that knows what it takes to win.

Leading the charge are holdovers Rolando Bregente, Alexander Bisera, Chris Remata, Edison Tabalin and Ronel Taga-An — the backbone of last year’s triumphant campaign. Reinforcements arrive in the form of Bacolod ace Bobe Salahog and a Mindanao-heavy wave of recruits: Apollo Batican, Adrian Bisera, Nino Villasencio and AJ Wacan.

Bregente remains the team’s undisputed big gun. He delivered 34 and 35 points in crucial rounds across Bacolod’s demanding layouts last year, powering the title run with steady, high-impact play. Now the reigning NGAP Riviera Open champion, he anchors a squad built on experience and firepower.

The addition of Apo standouts Adrian Bisera, Villasencio and AJ Wacan injects even more depth into an already loaded lineup — a blend of tested veterans and hungry new blood ready for the spotlight.

But Manila Southwoods is countering with youth, swagger, and pedigree. Enter the “Brat Pack,” a dynamic mix of former and current junior standouts led by reigning Philippine Amateur champion Perry Bucay and many-time national campaigner Shinichi Suzuki.

Backing them up is a formidable cast: Miko Granada, Emil Hernandez, Santino Laurel, Tristan Jefferson Padilla, Santino Pineda, Coby Rolida, Patrick Tambalque and Floyd Villanueva — a roster stacked with talent and fearless shot-makers.

Southwoods carries the weight of history — and the confidence that comes with it. The club has captured the Interclub crown nine times, most recently in 2024 in Cagayan de Oro. It dominated the stretch beginning 2015 and sealed a three-peat in 2022.

Tagaytay Highlands looms as a darkhorse due to the presence of top amateurs Zach Castro, Masaichi Otake, Raymund Sangil, Ace Stehmeier, Justin Tambunting and Vince Lauron.

Several firsts will define this year’s staging. A new division — Legacy — has been introduced. At the same time, the playing schedule has been extended to five days each for both the regular and senior tournaments, raising the stakes and the endurance test for every squad.

South Pacific Golf and Country Club has also been added to the course rotation, expanding the championship’s footprint and adding another layer of challenge to the competition.

A record 1,892 participants signed up for the regular tournament and the recently concluded senior event, highlighting the event’s growing prestige and appeal.

A total of 124 squads competed in the senior division, while 90 teams are set to battle it out in the regular event, ensuring crowded fairways and intense competition across all brackets.

Aside from the championship, the Friendship class will also take a bye on Monday.