Miñoza brods clinch crown in sudden death

SILANG, Cavite – Raul Miñoza and brother Paul birdied the first extra hole from five feet to beat Eddie Bagtas and Kim Chung Hol in their sudden-death playoff for this year’s U-Bix-Riviera National Pro Am.

When Paul made that five-footer, Bagtas and Kim just picked up their ball since they were only putting for par.

The Miñozas, Frankie’s brothers, closed out with a 74 and Bagtas and Kim made a final-round 76 for 301 to force the sudden-death on the ninth hole of the Riviera Golf and Country Club’s Couples course.

"Life begins at 40," said Raul later, who is 41. "My brother contributed a lot in our victory. Mabuti na lang at ang partner ko ay isa pang Miñoza."

Raul Miñoza will return to Bukidnon with the first-prize pro check of P138,200 while brother Paul won P34,560 in the form of gift certificates.

Armando Eso and older brother Amado also made a 78 to capture the fourth place at 303. Armando earned P44,860 while Amado won P11,220 in gift certificates.

Vince Lauron and Paul Salvador, who started the final round tied for the lead with Marlon Dizon and Bones Floro at 224, shot a 78 to place second with302.

Lauron won P34,460 while his partner Bones received gift certificates worth P13,620.

Juanito Pagunsan and son Juvic, second placers last year, made a 79 to share fifth place with Dizon and Floro with 305, who struggled with an 81.

Noli Kempis and Erwin Vinluan, the defending champions, came up with 73 to be all alone in seventh place with a 72-hole total of 308.

This year’s event was sponsored by U-Bix Corp., Konica, Caffe Appassionato, San Miguel Corp., Pagcor, Mizuno, DHL, WWW Express and Philippine Sports Commission.

The two teams were among the 31 that made the cut in the tournament U-Bix Corp. president Bert Bravo and Riviera president Danny Pizaro launched last year.

The awards ceremony followed right after the playoff. Mrs. Felina Bravo represented her husband, who left for Prague after hitting one of the ceremonial balls last Tuesday.

Others who presented the prizes were U-Bix executive vice president Vida Ty, NGAP president Rod Felicigno NGAP vice president Vice Admiral Luisito Fernandez.

Other special guests included Riviera general manager John Black and Riviera golf director Lewis Rissman.

Rodolfo Cuelio Jr. and junior partner Jenz Tecson scored a final round 81 for 311 to settle for a share of eight place with Jose Casas and Boyet Zaragoza, who made 77.

Sandy Gelarde and Jong Laput completed the top 10 after firing a 78 for 312.