Manila Southwoods gambled on a gutsy first team built around two crack Japanese teeners and a talented amateur from the south to post a nine-point lead in the first round of the 59th PAL Interclub golf team championship at Rancho Palos Verdes.
The Carmona-based squad came up with 145 as it fielded a comebacking Toru Nakajima, 19, firing a 37, one-under 71 on medal play, and cousin Michio Matsumura, 18, submitting an even par 36 on the six-year old layout whose terrains and character resembled the courses the two Japanese long hitters knew by heart back home.
Anthony Fernando, a talented Zamboanga recruit, joined the two youths as Southwoods’ top scorer with 37 points.
And with Tonlits Asistio, one of two heroes in last year’s stirring victory in Bacolod, adding a 35, the defending champions broke away early from archrivals Del Monte and multi-titled Canlubang, seeking a record double title. Miko Alejandro’s 32 didn’t count for the team.
That gave Southwoods a nine-point spread over Del Monte, which had 136 spiked by a solid bogey-free four-under 40 of mainstay Jett Plete and a 37 by Boboy Jaraula that went with the 31 of skipper Ramon Velez and one of the 28s of Julan Miñoza and Marty Ilagan.
Canlubang, the event’s dominant team with 12 titles, unloaded two homegrown weapons in National Caddies Open bets Mario Labajo and brother Joseph but could only draw a 35 and 33, respectively, and needed a 35 from veteran JR Tanpinco and a 32 from former national amateur champ Jun Bernis for 135. Ronnie Torrecampo’s 31 didn’t count.
"We’re very happy our first team delivered. I am more confident now that we could retain the title since we are fielding a team stronger than the one that won last year," said Southwoods team captain Thirdy Escaño.
Despite their so-so start, the Sugar Barons remained unfazed. They still have aces up their sleeves, particularly top guns who have working knowledge over the course they once called home — the Apo layout where action would shift to in the second round today.
"We were not consistent enough today. The round tomorrow at Apo will paint a clearer picture," said Canlubang skipper Luigi Yulo.
The Barons will unleash native aces in Mario Labajo, Boyet Saragoza, Jay Bayron, and caddies champ Junel Ababa together with Mark Fernando as they try to narrow the gap with the Southwoods squad.
Escaño himself regarded the action in the tree-dotted course near the city, as the "turning point" of the three-team showdown and hoped a mix of youth and experience in Erwin Vinluan, Gene Bondoc, Hanson So, Jr., Jong Laput and either Fernando and Mike Bibat will do the trick.
"I still think (the rounds in) Apo will be the turning point. They have guys born and raised here and their local knowledge of the course will surely be a big factor but we will have a solid team, too, and if we maintain our lead after today, we’ll be very happy," said Escaño.
The 21-year-old Plete, a vital cog of Del Monte 2004 winning team, fired four birdies, three in cluster from the 11th, as he came up with individual derby-leading 40 points but outside of Jaraula, the rest of the team failed to keep pace with their Southwoods counterparts.
"We didn’t get the usual scores expected of us but, nevertheless, we remained upbeat about our chances," said Velez.
Nakajima, who missed last year’s Southwoods victory romp since he was competing in the United States amateur elims, had three birdies against two bogeys in his 37 round while Matsumura, who missed the qualifying school for the Japanese tour by a shot, had a fiery start of three straight birdies but lost momentum with a scoreless hole on the 13th.
"I know (Nakajima and Matsumura) will score in Palos Verdes because they’re familiar with that kind of course," said Escaño.
In the Founders Division, Wack Wack was showing the way with 116 followed by Riviera and Sta. Elena with 109 each while Valley was in third with 107.
Villamor paced the Sportswriters class with 105, a point ahead of Manila Golf Club ( 104) and three on host Rancho Palos Verdes.
Stanford, meanwhile, seized the first round lead in the Friendship Division with 98, followed by San Juanico and Hawaii Fil-AM at second with identical 90 cards and Zamboanga and Brotherhood Sharp with 87s.