Southwoods begins Fil-Am title defense

BAGUIO, Philippines – Manila Southwoods starts its title retention bid in the 61st Fil-Am golf invitational tournament today, fancied to dominate a lean field at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club golf courses here.

The Carmona-based squad will be without veteran Junjun Plana but remains the team to beat with a young roster composed of Chepe Dulay, Joseph Tambunting, Teody Pascual, Charlie Chang and Sung Wan Yoon.

Mizuno looms as Southwoods’ rival with the former to be led by former jungolf standout Juami Rocha, Rodel Mangalubnan, Richard Joson, JB Garcia and King Stehmeier.

“Handicap wise, we are behind but I think we can give them a good fight,” said Rocha.

The ICTSI team, earlier tipped to reign this year on a team built around members of the national pool, has begged off at the last-minute, leaving Southwoods as the heavy favorite to score a back-to-back feat in the annual championship presented by Toyota.