Mizuno romps to 32-pt victory

BAGUIO, Philippines – Mizuno matched its third round output of 131 at Camp John Hay to punctuate an emphatic 32-point romp over Team Sparta and reclaim the Fil Championship crown in the 64th San Miguel Fil Am Men’s Invitational golf tournament yesterday.

King Stehmeier saved his best for last and fired 35 Molave points while Justin Limjap churned out back-to-back 34s to spearhead the Mizuno Superstars’ assault on the par-69 layout and the field it outclassed with a two-day display of awesome shotmaking here. Ace Stehmeier and Raymund Sangil scored a pair of 31s to underscore Mizuno’s domination.

Counting their 123 and 119 outputs at the nearby Baguio Country Club, the 2011 champions topped the 72-hole tournament with a 504, 32 points over Team Sparta, whose come-from-behind bid fizzled out in the face of Mizuno’s sizzling finish.

“The guys played consistent all week and for sure, we’ll be back to defend our crown next year,” said Mizuno team captain King Stehmeier.

Ex-pro Tonton Asistio did shoot a sterling 36-point feat, equivalent to even par in stroke play, but teammates Rading Decepida, Erwin Temena and Alex Ignacio could only come up with 28, 25 and 24, respectively, as Team Sparta closed out with a 113 after a 124 Friday and finished with a 472.

Asistio, however, ran away with the individual crown in the premier division with a 135, beating King Stehmeier, who had a 129, by six. Forest Hills’ Gabriel Atienza and Limjap shared third place with 126s.

“They (the Mizuno Superstars) deserved the victory. But we are hoping for a brighter 2014 and we will try to win again,” said Team Sparta skipper Allan Pasion.

Junjun Plana shot 32 points, Mandred Guangko added 30 and Teody Pascual and Joseph Tambunting chipped in 29 and 28, respectively, as Manila Southwoods pooled a 119 for a 457, nipping dethroned champion Forest Hills, which rallied with a 123 for a 454, for third place honors in the annual event backed by title sponsor San Miguel Corp. and presented by Toyota.

Atienza made a 33, Ronald Littaua and Peter Young carded identical 31 points and Edgar Lee added a 28 as Forest Hills recovered with a 123 after a dismal 106 in the third round.

Camp John Hay Golf Club, led by Park Jong Won and Fred Puckett’s pair of 30s, assembled a 113 for a 440 to finish fifth followed by Silicon Valley Golfers Link I (109-423), Team Alaska (110-419) and Darwin Golf of Australia (103-386).

Che’lus I, which lost the 2011 title to Mizuno in the countback, came away with a 113 for a 447 to rule the Am Championship via a 12-point victory over erstwhile leader Batangas Barakos, who struggled with a 103 for a 435 at the BCC.

Robert Manalo fired 31 points, Jacky Barfield had a 29, Mike Castro made a 28 and Ray Blas added a 25 for Che-lus I, which trailed the Batangas Barakos at John Hay but seized control when action shifted to the tougher BCC layout.

Mizuno placed third with a 428 after a 106 while Camp Aguinaldo came in fourth at 419 after a 105 followed by Northwoods Pacsports (94-411), Forest Hills Country Club (93-387), Dugong Bughaw (99-381) and Villa Cacho (82-373).