Del Monte stays at 2ND: Cebu hikes lead on home turf

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu Country Club exploited its home course edge as it scored 130 points yesterday and built a three-point lead over Del Monte halfway through the 66th Philippine Airlines Interclub men’s golf tournament.

The Cebuanos, determined to keep the Interclub title in the Championship division, did much better at the Cebu Country Club layout as compared to the 120 they shot at Mactan in the opening round.

Cebu CC playing captain Ramontito Garcia wished his team could have carried a bigger lead heading to the last two days.

“But we’re still very happy. A lead is a lead whether it’s one point or 10 points,” said Garcia, who drew 34 points from Marko Sarmiento, identical 33s from Jovi Neri and Eric Deen, and another 30 from Andre Borromeo.

“The team did pretty well today except for me. I struggled the whole day,” added Garcia who did not count with his 29.

Cebu CC now has a 250 total, just three points better than Del Monte which shot a 128 (247) on the 33s of Lawrence Cubillo and Reymon Jaraulla, the 32 of Magnao Arancon and 30 from Jets Sajulga.

The third round will be played at the tougher Mactan Island Golf Club, and the closing round back at Cebu CC.

Garcia said the target remains the same, and that’s to either hang on or increase the lead.

“If tomorrow we can increase our lead the better. But still our strongest lineup will be on the final day. It’s our homecourt. I hope the experience counts,” said the playing captain from Cebu CC.

Garcia said even before the tournament teed off last Wednesday, he and Cebu CC general manager Jeric Hechanova already have an idea whom to field for each round, regardless of the situation.

“But we keep it to ourselves,” he said.

Alabang remained in striking distance following a 125 built on the 39 (equivalent to 3-under-par-69) of Fil-German Keanu Jahns who birdied five, bogeyed two and parred the rest of the holes.

No other player in the field has broken par after two days.

“I didn’t know,” said the 17-year-old Jahns, who wears his hair and his hat like PGA star Rory McIlroy. He said he will skip today’s round at Mactan and would rather save his best for tomorrow’s final round.

“I don’t really like Mactan,” said the 6-foot-2 golfer who kept Alabang just five points off the leader at 245.

Gabriel Manotoc also did his share for Alabang as the 15-year-old son of PBA grandslam coach and champion golfer Tommy Manotoc submitted 31 points, followed by the 30 of Jama Reyes and the 28 of Miguel Shah. Santi Lorenzo did not count with his 23.

Sta. Elena stood at fourth spot, way, way behind after yesterday’s 102 points on Jingy Tuason’s 32 points.

In the Founders division, Negros is now in front after shooting 130 points for a 233 total.

Chris Infante and Jae Woo-yang carded 33 points each for Negros while veteran Francis Gaston and Chepe Dulay chipped in 32s to move a point ahead of Orchard, which had 118 for 232.