Canlubang aims for 4th Seniors title

BACOLOD, Philippines - – While four-peat-seeking Canlubang and perennial contender Luisita prime up for another anticipated showdown for the top plum, two dark horse teams – Cebu Country Club and Orchard – try to foil the fancied teams as the 67th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub Golf Tournament unfolds today here.

Cebu CC, the 2013 Founders division ruler, parades Regular division campaigner Jeric Hechanova as it competes in the Championship division this time, while Ochard, another club that’s elevated to the premier competition, taps Nestor Sevilla, Jose Gonzales, Chito Servida, Lee Jun-bai and Lee Jin-gon for its bid.

Cebu fell 13 points short of contending for the overall crown last year at its home turf and hopes to sustain the momentum at Binitin and Marapara courses here. For its part, despite placing eighth overall in the Founders last time, Orchard was upgraded to the Championship and was seeded third behind Cangolf and Luisita in terms of PAL players average.

Cangolf, winner of seven of the last eight stagings of the tourney, and Luisita, the winningest club with 14 crowns overall, did some tinkering with their respective rosters, too.

The Sugar Barons, who rallied in the final round to beat Luisita by six points last year, brought in reigning national seniors champion Abe Avena and Japanese Saso San to join regulars Dave Hernandez, Rolly Viray, Tony Olives, Luigi Yulo, Rene Unson and Mari Hechanova.

Not to be outdone, the Luisitans welcomed back Iggy Clavecilla to their fold after a two-year absence and got former pro Eddie Bagtas to beef up the team of Francis Gaston, Richie Garcia, Pepot Inigo, Lino Magpantay and Bong Sison.

“The competition this year will be very interesting, if not exciting,” said Luisita team manager Joey Romasanta. “Canlubang definitely reorganized and strengthened its lineup, so did Cebu.”

Cangolf won’t have stalwart Tommy Manatoc for the second straight year but remains upbeat about its chances with Avena and Saso adding muscle to the core of last year’s champion team.

For Luisita, the return of Clavecilla and the entry of Bagtas, owner of several titles while campaigning in the pros against the likes of Frankie Miñoza, provided a big boost in its mission to end the reign of the Sugar Barons and win a first diadem since 2010.

“We actually consider ourselves a dark horse here. But with Iggy back in competitive form and likewise Eddie Bagtas (coming in), we’re going to give everybody a good fight,” said Romasanta.

Cangolf and Luisita tee off with Cebu and Orchard at 7 a.m. at Binitin course as action in the four-division, 100-team event that serves as the prelude to the Regular Men’s Interclub unwraps.

This year’s Interclub is backed by co-sponsor CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corp., Manila Broadcasting Corp. and Manila Bulletin.