Barons’ double: How sweet it is

DAVAO CITY — Canlubang stamped its class with a torrid finish and completed its double title romp, dethroning Manila Southwoods with an emphatic six-point victory yesterday in the 59th PAL Interclub championship at the Apo course here.

Anchored by their Apo-reared aces, the Barons methodically pulled away on the backside of the hazard-laden layout as the Carmona team lost steam in the final showdown, giving Canlubang the decisive win with a closing 140 for 553.

The reigning titlist couldn’t keep pace with the Barons’ charge and succumbed with a final day 132 and 547.

Del Monte had 111-504 for third place.

Thus, Canlubang cemented its claim as the winningest team with its 13th crown since 1977 and boosted its role as the dominant club in the Interclub with its first-ever double title after its senior triumph last week. Bacolod has 10 men’s titles.

"It’s sweet," said Barons’ skipper Luigi Yulo, after the team ended a two-year title slump. "With the double yet it’s even sweeter."

The Barons actually decided the contest by pooling an even par card after their fourth man to move up by nine points after trailing by two at the start of the round.

National caddies champ Jonel Ababa fired another one-under 37 on the course he calls home, and Mark Fernando added a 36 while national player Jay Bayron carded a 35 and Boyet Saragoza, another Apo-bred veteran, finally counted with a 32. Team mainstay Abe Rosal didn’t count with 29.

Southwoods tried to keep it close in the early going, trailed by four points on the frontside and gradually faded at the height of the Barons’ surge coming home. Former Singapore amateur winner Mike Bibat and Erwin Vinluan had 35s and Hanson So Jr. had a 34 but the 28 of Gene Bondoc counted for the team for 132. Jong Laput was out with 27.

It was a see-sawing battle for three days. But Southwoods spent its first team on the rolling Ranchos Palos Verdes where it charged into the lead with a 145 in the first round and got back on top with scintillating 147 on the third day.

Canlubang exploited its built-in edge on local players on the treacherous Apo, sparking a 21-point swing on the second day and eventually ruling the Interclub with a balanced scoring in the final day.

"Everything is set according to plan, our plan. We make it a point to know our players, their strong points and weak points," said Yulo.

Southwoods gambled and lost on the Andy Dye-designed Palos Verdes, fielding its top guns in a bid to gain the initiative but ran out of firepower in the process.

"They played well and we didn’t. If you shoot even par in Apo you deserve to win," said Southwoods team captain Thirdy Escano. "The mere fact that we gave Canlubang a run for its money with eight of its players from Davao, we did well."

The dethroned champs grimly hung on in the pressure-packed final round until the 21-year-old Ababa, Bayron, a member of the SEA Games team that won the gold, and Fernando birdied the 13th holes and Canlubang moved beyond recall from there.

Del Monte, the 2004 winner, could only show a 110 as Joel Opaco carded a 32, Louie Dacudao a 29, Ondoy Mondilla 25 and Iggy Clavecilla 24 for 504. Jolan Miñoza had only 22.

But the Mindanao team will surely be a force to reckon with next year when the Interclub is held in Cagayan de Oro’s Pueblo de Oro and its home course in Bukidnon.

In the Founders Division, Cebu Country Club was the runaway winner with 472 after a final 124 on Carl Almario’s 35, William Hong’s 32, Eric Deen’s 29 and Jovi Neri’s 28. Mark Dy had 25 and didn’t count.

Wack Wack came in second with 112-455 while Forest Hills took third with 110-434. Riviera ended up fourth at 122-429 and Negros Occidental fifth with 104 for 428.

This year’s major sponsors are Action Asia, Airbus, Boeing, GE Aviation, GMA7, 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.