BACOLOD CITY — After three years of near-misses and heartbreaking close calls, Eastridge-Prime Homes finally achieved the victory it had been chasing, seizing its long-awaited triumph at the 76th Philippine Airlines Interclub on Friday.
Fueled by grit and determination, the Binangonan-based squad left nothing to chance in the final round, leaving defending champions Manila Southwoods trailing in its wake.
The winning margin was 21 points.
“Third try’s the charm, I guess,” said Eastridge non-playing captain Gimo Asuncion. “We learned a lot from last year. Great job by the team/players this whole week. They played consistently resulting in a wire-to-wire victory.”
Last year in Cagayan de Oro, Eastridge led Southwoods by six points going into the final round only to be beaten.
Asuncion thanked the players for their commitment, loyalty, and discipline.
“Special thanks to the kuya of our team Boss Gary Sales and Boss Richard Joson who was not able to join the team,” the Eastridge skipper said. “We look forward and continue to prepare for upcoming tournaments.”
Ronel Taga-an delivered 39 points as Eastridge closed with 106 points at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club for a 415 total. The other scorers were Jeff Lumbo and Edison Tabalin with 35 and 32, respectively.
Taga-an, who shot 35 at Bacolod Golf Club on Wednesday, opened with a bogey but bounced back with an eagle on the par-4 fifth hole and two birdies to reach the turn on 3-under.
Three birdies against a single bogey brought him to 5-under before Taga-an bogeyed 17 and 18.
So dominant was Eastridge that none of its players scored below 30 points throughout the tournament.
This victory not only marked a milestone for Eastridge but also ignited the start of a fierce new rivalry with many-time champion Manila Southwoods.
With Lumbo transitioning to the pro ranks, Asuncion assured that there are still talented players emerging from their training pool, ready to step up.
Hurt by two poor opening rounds, Manila Southwoods finished with 394, including a closing 99 points.
Perry Bucay led Southwoods with 35 with Zeus Sara and Santino Laurel adding 32 apiece.
Southwoods has now suffered two major team losses, including its defeat at the Fil-Am Invitational last December in Baguio City.
“No excuses,” said Southwoods skipper Thirdy Escano. “Eastridge outplayed my guys, and my congratulations go to Team Eastridge. We will be back — that much I can assure you.”
In the Founders division, Canlubang emerged victorious by 15 points, despite being outscored by Negros Occidental in the final round.
The Sugar Barons finished with 97 points, with eventual individual champion Robert John Bernis contributing 36 points.
Seniors Abe Rosal and Jess Hernandez added 31 and 30 points, respectively, to secure the win.
Negros Occidental came up with 98 points through Bobe Salahog (37), JR Tanpinco (32), and Gerardo Antonio de Leon Jr. (29).
Cebu Country Club, which tallied 92, settled for third place with 360 points.
Scoring for CCC were Mark Anthony Dy who shot 32, and Bayani Garcia and Jon Joseph Alvarez who had 30 apiece.
The final standings in the Championship and Founders’ division:
CHAMPIONSHIP — Eastridge 415 (99-105-105-106), Manila Southwoods 394 (95-94-108-99), Tagaytay Highlands Team IMG 375 (94-98-88-95), Del Monte 363 (84-93-92-94)
FOUNDERS — Canlubang 381 (99-86-99-97), Negros Occidental Team 1 366 (91-89-88-98), Cebu Country Club 360 (95-94-79-92), Riviera 359 (94-92-81-92), Brittannika 354 (92-83-87-92), Forest Hills 345 (82-82-85-96), Valley 330 (77-83-85-85), Sherwood Hills 326 (87-82-84-73), Zamboanga 325 (94-92-81-59), Team Brookside 324 (90-76-79-79), Rancho Palos Verdes 321 (82-75-83-81), Tagaytay Midlands Team IMG 316 (85-76-81-74), The Orchard 314 (84-79-74-77), Bacolod Team 1 314 (85-72-68-89), Wack Wack 312 (82-77-69-84), Pueblo de Oro 311 (81-75-70-85), Apo 1 294 (77-73-68-76), Alabang 291 (69-71-84-67), Iligan 284 (79-70-66-69), Filam LA 1 280 (79-65-63-73), Filam Fairway 275 (77-62-75-61), Villamor Air Base 273 (77-59-68-69), Fairways and Bluewater Boracay 233 (59-58-59-59), MSU Team 1 229 (57-54-52-66).