Barons go all out for sweet sweep

DAVAO City — Canlubang is using its mission for a sweep to fire up the team.

The Sugar Barons, who have a record 12 titles, try to end a two-year drought when the 59th Philippine Airlines interclub golf team championship gets underway at the Rancho Palos Verdes and Apo here today.

An anti-climactic win in the seniors division gave Canlubang a rare chance to go for a championship double for the first time in 19 years and it has overhauled its team to firm up its bid.

"Winning was the primary target," said Canlubang skipper Luigi Yulo. "But after (winning the Seniors) last week, our prime motivation is to go for a sweep. Our first-ever."

Save for Luisita, which has three double titles, no other team has swept the seniors and men’s crowns on the same year and Canlubang is on track for another milestone in the event.

But standing on the way of the Barons’ sweep bid is defending champion Manila Southwoods, as dangerous as ever, and Del Monte, fielding the core of the team that took a breakthrough win in 2004.

Still, Southwoods remains its main rival. For the Barons, Southwoods’ dramatic two-point win last year still rankled and have looked forward to this stint to exact revenge.

"We wish Canlubang all the luck but we will defend the title the best we can. It will be a good fight," said Southwoods team captain Thirdy Escaño.

Action in the championship division begins in the 59th edition of this unofficial national team championship at the Andy Dye-designed Palos Verdes, famous for its undulating terrains and tough greens.

But Escaño said that the championship would still be decided over at the old Apo course where Canlubang has built-in edge in three Davao-based recruits — National Caddies Open products Mario and Joseph Labajo and Junel Ababa.

"Their local knowledge (of the course) will surely be a factor," said Escaño.

But the Barons have decided to play the Labajo brothers today at Palos Verdes together with veteran Jun Bernis, JR Tanpinco and Ronnie Torrecampo, hoping for a fiery start while Southwoods will field its two crack Japanese in Toru Nakajima and Michio Matsumura.

Del Monte has brought in old interclub reliable Iggy Clavecilla and former Southwoods champ Marty Ilagan. The other top guns in the team are Louie Dacudao, Paul Miñoza, Jett Plete, Arsenio Mondilla, Joel Opaco and Romeo Jaraula.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro has been chosen as next year’s host during the final team captains’ meeting at the Apo clubhouse yesterday.

This year’s major sponsors are Action Asia, Airbus, Boeing, GE Aviation, GMA 7, Honda Cars Davao, INQ7.net, Joey 92.3, Royal Caribbean International, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), People Asia, Premier Wine and Spirits, Rudy Project, UMBN and Uraya Land Development Corp.

ABS-CBN International, Fortune Tobacco and Radio Mindanao Network are the corporate sponsors and 96.3 Wrock, Asia Brewery, Century Park Hotel, Honda Megamotors, SM City Davao and Tanduay Rhum are the other backers.