Surigao hikes lead; F Hills defense up

BAGUIO, Philippines – Team Surigao I scored 108 points for a 223 as it stretched its lead to 10 in Fil A yesterday even as Forest Hills opens defense of its crown in the centerpiece Fil Championship Flight of the the 62nd Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament today at the Baguio Country Club here.

Surigao I got a two-over 63 worth 34 points from Roy Abalos who carded a two-over 63 worth 34 points while Ramon Capistrano, Ed Lopez and John Bertis backed him up with 27, 24 and 23 points, as Surigao I padded its lead from seven to 10 over Philippine Navy Golf Club in the tournament sponsored by Toyota.

The Navymen got a pair of 28s from Jaime Beech and Rei Gil Medestomas while Carlos Packing and Mahaleel Bermas added 25 and 24, respectively, for the team’s 105 output for a 213 aggregate.

Hacienda de Naga Golf Team drew 28 points from Bong Sison as it struggled with a 101, dropping to third spot with a 211 in the event backed by Pacsports, Illy, Empire and Wilson and which stakes Toyota Vios for hole-in-one feats on Nos. 10 and 18th at the BCC and Camp John Hay courses.

Meanwhile, focus shifts to the premier side as titleholder Forest Hills kicks off its campaign against fancied Manila Southwoods and Mizuno.

Forest Hills Nicklaus returns with Rafael Garcia, Ronald Littaua, Jose Ravinar Austria II, Inigo Raymundo, Peter Young and Juan Miguel Garcia while the seven-time Southwoods side parades a crack roster that includes Junjun Plana, Steve Yoon, Theody Pasucal, Joseph Tambunting and the returning Florene delos Santos.

 Former champion Mizuno, on the other hand, hopes to come out strong on a team built around Rodel Mangalubnan, former pro Vince Lauron, King Stehmeier, Richard Joson and Jung Soo Park.

Five other teams see action in the main flight, including Batangas Barakos, Baguio City Golf Team II, Camp John Hay, Dugong Bughaw and last year’s Fil A titlist Seabridge Che’lus I.

In Fil C, Eddie Castro and Jesse Quenga led a balanced attack with 28s to power Seabridge Che’lus II to a 108 and a seven-point lead over Tribu Grill.

John Quinata had 27 points and Warren Pelletier added 27 and 25, respectively, in the event backed by Fashion Rack, Air 21, Rizgolf, Supreme Bike, GPS Tracker, Golforce, San Miguel, Le Chef, Camp John Hay Development Corporation, Duty Free Philippines, Beaufort and Bayan Business.

Andrei Cornejo had 32 as he led Tribu Grill Express’s 101, while Green Water Meadows had 98 for third.