Cangolf, S’woods field A-teams in PAL golf

CAGAYAN DE ORO – Home course edge will be a major factor when the reigning champion defends its PAL Interclub crown against a powerhouse host team and a youth-laden perennial contender in the 60th edition of the event beginning today here.

Canlubang and Manila Southwoods plan to assemble crack squads in a bid to neutralize the home advantage of the Del Monte team on its old layout in Bukidnon right in the first day of the centerpiece championship division.

Three years ago, Del Monte produced a stunning record 12-under par 156 team total in the first round en route to a breakthrough win and the team hopes for another explosive start as it goes for a second crown that would cement its claim as the best Interclub team in the region.

"We’re capable of duplicating it. The team may not be as strong as in 2004 but it has matured through the years," said Del Monte skipper Ramon "Yoyong" Velez.

Although Velez bared his opening day lineup, Canlubang team captain Luigi Yulo and Southwoods skipper Thirdy Escaño kept their cards close, hoping to form a cast that could match up or overcome their rivals’ homegrown talents.

"If only for their home course advantage, they’re the stronger team but caliber-wise we’re ahead," said Yulo as he tries to steer the Interclub’s most dominant team to its 14th men’s crown.

"Del Monte has the home edge but at the end of the day Canlubang is still the team to beat but I know we have a chance," said Escaño, who masterminded Southwoods’ dramatic win two years ago in Bacolod.

Two mainstays of the 2004 Del Monte squad were no longer in the lineup, their berths taken over by two rookies whom the team expects to be in the thick of first day action over the rugged, tree-lined course.

Club champion Banny Abanio, 19, and Belem Arancon, 20, – products of Del Monte’s jungolf program – will spearhead the squad’s bid together with Boboy Jaraulla, whose smashing seven-under par 43 points – 65 on medal play – touched off Del Monte’s opening day offensive in 2004. The others were Arsenio Mondilla and Ben Miñoza, younger brother of top Filipino pro Frankie.

Confident the Barons have a roster teeming with veteran and national players, Yulo said he would field the ones on course they prefer – either at old Del Monte or the modern Pueblo de Oro, where the tournament ends Saturday.

"We’re sure Del Monte will load up in the first day. We know first day scores are important so if we grab even a slight lead, we’ll have a psychological edge," he said.

The Barons have a slew of battle-tested amateurs in reigning RP champ Jay Bayron, pro-bound Jun Bernis, SEAG veteran Boyet Saragoza, Dave Hernandez, caddies titlist Jonel Ababa, Mario and Joseph Labajo, Rufino Bayron and Mark Fernando with Caddies Open top finishers Zanie Boy Gialon and Paul Echavez disputing the last team berth.

Southwoods’ campaign will be led by Doha Asiad bronze medalist Michael Bibat, who played a major role in its victory in 2005, Anthony Fernando, Ton-Ton Asistio, Asiad veteran Gene Bondoc, Samsung Open titlist Erwin Vinluan, Miko Alejandro, Miko Yee, Jong Laput, Jun Jun Plana and Miggy Yee, a 10-year old La Salle grade four student, the youngest Interclub bet.

"He may not score well but this is a chance to expose him in line with our youth development program," said Escaño.

The Carmona-based team will be missing Japanese aces Turo Nakajima, 19, who was to graduate from school in Japan, and jungolf champ Michio Matsumura, 18, who turned pro. Del Monte will be without Louie Dacudao, now a pro, and an injured Lino Retuerto. The other Del Monte players are Joel Opaco, Jette Plete, Tristan Tabanas, Paul Miñoza and Velez himself.