PAL Interclub moments

Covering events via long distance is not very easy, but thanks to technology, I have been able to keep up with the scores of the Cebu teams in the seniors’ tournament of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub, which teed off the other day in Negros Occidental.

I am due in Bacolod City on Sunday yet, but that’s no hindrance to knowing how our bets fared, good or bad.

PAL’s Jun Canton supplies me with the individual scores, which I also get to check with the players or their skippers.

The others tell me what happened in their round so the story gets even better than reading what everyone else prints.

Like for example my good friend and rookie senior (this is his first time to compete in this age category although he was part of the men’s regular team a couple of times) Lino Dagus of Alta Vista, who managed only 29 points yesterday.

Lino informed me via text message that he sprained his shoulder on the back nine and had to pick-up most of the way.  He did manage 29 points in the Molave Points System.

I’ve seen worse scores from healthy players and I hope Lino recovers in the final round of the event this Sunday.

As of the first round, Cebu Country Club seems to have the best chance to land in the top three of its division among the five Cebu teams.  CCC was second in the Founders division.  I still have to get their second round scores as of this writing.

Alta Vista and Club Filipino were both fifth in their respective categories, Sportswriters and Friendship, respectively and can still turn things around.

By the way, the Sportswriters division was called such in honor of the sportswriters, who cover the tournament.  This is not the media tournament, which I have taken part in 11 times the past 14 PAL Interclubs.

One thing that I hope to see come Sunday would be one of the Cebu teams going up the stage to claim a trophy.

Next week, the regular tournament will be something to look forward to with CCC gunning for a third straight Founders division crown and their sixth in seven years.

I’d still keep an eye on the other Cebu teams though for the benefit of the friends and family who’d be looking forward to cheer or jeer.

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MILESTONES: I’d like to greet two friends belated happy birthday.  Both of them turned a year older last February 21st, but I ran out of space for the greetings.

I wish all the best to my buddy Michaelangelo Siapno (better known as the long-haired guy from Mobiline when he was in Cebu many years ago) and to my former student now singing sensation Rochelle ‘Raki’ Vega.

More power to both of you!