Mizuno stretches lead to 7 vs Sparta

BAGUIO, Philippines - – Mizuno wavered with a 119 on the slow putting surface of Baguio Country Club but padded its lead to seven points, this time over Team Sparta as defending champion Forest Hills faltered with a 103 in the Fil Championship halfway through the 64th San Miguel Fil-Am Men’s Invitational golf tournament here yesterday.

Ace Stehmeier stepped up with 34 points after a 30 and King Stehmeier matched his first round 30-point production but Justin Limjap slowed down with a 26 after a 32 and Raymund Sangil didn’t count with a 25 after a 31. But Rodel Mangulabnan proved his worth and added a 29 as the Superstars, counting their opening 123, started to pull away at 242.

That was seven points ahead of Team Sparta, which pooled a 235 after a 118 as the field heads to the Camp John Hay layout for the last two rounds of the centerpiece division of the event backed by title sponsor San Miguel Corp. and presented by Toyota.

“It will be a shootout beginning Friday,” said Mizuno team captain King Stehmeier as the premier division takes a break today.

Ex-pro Tonton Asistio carded 35 points, Erwin Temena added a 31, and Rading Decepida and Alex Ignacio each scored 26 points for Team Sparta which assumed the challenger’s role as defending champion Forest Hills, just a point behind Mizuno at the start of the day, floundered with a 103 and tumbled down to third at 225, 17 points behind.

“The boys are enjoying the game and bonding perfectly and that’s what’s important for us,” said Team Sparta skipper Allan Pasion.

Gabriel Atienza went 10-over for 26 points after churning out an impressive two-under 38 for Forest Hills Tuesday while Edgar Lee shot 28 points and Ronald Littaua also had a 26 and Miguel Garcia added a 23.

Manila Southwoods hardly improved with a 111 after a 107 and remained too far behind at fourth with 218 while Silicon Valley Golfers Link I had a 205 after a 104 followed by Camp John Hay Golf Club (102-199), Team Alaska (101-194) and Darwin Golf Club of Australia (98-181).

Asistio also grabbed the individual lead with 66 points with Atienza dropping two points behind at 64 with Ace Stehmeier and Southwoods’ Junjun Plana remaining in the hunt with 63.

Batangas Barakos, on the other hand, surged past opening day leader Mizuno in the Am Championship, shooting a 110 for a 227 and a three-point lead over the Superstars, who slowed down with a 105 after a 119 for a 224.

A point adrift at 223 are Northwoods Pacsports, which produced a 109, and Che’lus I, which shot a 114, while Camp Aguinaldo made a 115 for a 217, Forest Hills struggled with a 98 for a 203, Villa Cacho made a 93 for a 193 and Dugong Bughaw carded a 95 for a 190.

Baguio Country Club, meanwhile, took charge in Fil-A with a 210 after a 106, posting an eight-point lead over erstwhile leader Eagle Masters I, which settled for a 97 and a 202, while Team Surigao I scored a second 100 for third.

Team Surigao II pulled away in Fil-B with a 199 after a 94 for a 13-point lead over Ultra Flite Golf Club I, which had a 186 after a 90 while Haciendas de Naga Golf Team shot a 94 for a 183.

The other sponsors of the event are Wilson, Rudy Project, Empire Golf, Megafiber, Pacsports, BCC, CJH Manor, Poro Point Thunderbird Resorts, Forest Lodge, Le Chef, Rizgolf, CJH Dev. Co., John Hay Coffee Services, University of Baguio, Alveo, North Luzon Expressway, The Residences at Brent, GPS Tracker and GMJ Constructors.