Batch 92 continues inroads in Fil-Am golf

BAGUIO CITY – Batch 92 banked on the sizzling game of Grancy Tiongson to retain the lead in Flight E of the Am division after the first two days of the 53rd Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament here.

Tiongson carded a 27 at the Baguio Country Club course to lead Batch 92 on its 84-point production for a total of 160. Tashiko Omedo added 24, Wilmer Embuscado 19 and Mar Claudio 14 for Batch 92 which hiked its lead to eight over Yokosan (83-152).

Early Birds remained at third after a steady 75 for 145 – thanks to the effort of Danny Servando and Mike Ramat who made 24 and 23 points, respectively. PR Rainforest slipped to fourth from second with 138 points after a 65.

Chamorro shot 60 points for a 129 two-day haul and continued leadership in Flight F of Am division. Ernesto Abellera carded 22, Manny Untalan added 14 and the troika of George Bell, John Blas and Jess Cruz made 12 apiece – one of which didn’t count.

But Balikbayan became the latest threat to the two-day leader after shooting the day’s best of 65 for a 125 total. Danny Caguiat made 21 points to lead the team with Wally Aguilar adding 19, Fernando Arevalo 14 and Julio Melgar 11.

Nueva Ecija’s Team Brassie is within striking distance with 123 after a 61. Ultra Flight is three shots further down after a 57.

Over at the Club John Hay course, Hard Rock Café/Country Waffles moved on the verge of successfully defending its title in Fil E as it distanced itself from its chief pursuer with 103 points for 209 and a 34-point lead over Chamorro.

Romy Tiu scored a two-over 71 for 34 points for Hard Rock Café which also drew 25 from Jeff Razon and 22 apiece from Herr Bautista and Tony Verzosa. Bert Nievera didn’t count with 15.

Chamorro had an 81 for 175 while JPDC tallied 89 for 164 at third and Pugad Lawin 78 for 159 at fourth.

Sustagen Premium I surged to the top in Fil F when it collected 98 points for 185 and a five-point lead over first-day leader PAGA Guam.

Joey Manrique scored 28 points to lead the locals while Toti Reyes had 24 points and Doming Paglinawan and Charles Valencirina carded 23 points each.

PAGA Guam had a 92 for a 180 total, followed by Aloha Golf Team (86-161) and Sustagen Premium 2 (72-146).

Meanwhile, CAP-Southwoods, bannered by reigning national amateur champion Jerome Delariarte, opens its bid for an unprecedented fourth straight crown in the championship flight starting today at the Club John Hay course.

Also playing for Southwoods are Erwin Vinluan, Turo Nakajima, Juami Rocha and new recruit Gene Bondoc.

Forest Hills, Haidee Construction and last year’s runner-up DHL Mizuno Golf challenge Southwoods in its ambitious bid.