Avena, Unson pace champs with 49s; Canlubang storms to nine-point lead

BACOLOD, Philippines - – Canlubang took its turn to unleash a new recruit with immediate impact in the 67th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf championship as Abe Avena matched teammate Rene Unson’s 49 points to help catapult the Sugar Barons to a nine-point lead against rival Luisita yesterday.

Avena, the reigning national seniors champion, shot a solid card in his debut and joined hands with veterans Unson and Mari Hechanova (45) in putting Cangolf ahead of Luisita with a 143 for a 286-277 lead.

“First time in the Interclub so medyo naninibago pa (still adjusting) but I feel pretty good overall,” said the 57-year-old Avena.

The Luisitans, who paced Thursday’s first round behind the 51 of new reinforcement and former pro Eddie Bagtas at Bacolod Country Club, failed to sustain the momentum at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club and managed a 133 for the day.

Francis Gaston paced Luisita with 47 while Seve Roxas Chua and Richie Garcia added 44 and 42, respectively, as the Tarlac-based team yielded the lead and allowed the better-shooting Canlubang to go nine points up heading into the third round at Binitin.

“If we can get some more (cushion) tomorrow (today), the better,” said Cangolf team exec Luigi Yulo, whose 30-point output didn’t count in the four-to-play, three-to-count format tourney.

Unson could have actually finished with a 51, if not for a two-point penalty due to a wrong drop on No. 16, which he actually birdied.

Still that wasn’t enough to slow down the Sugar Barons.

“We’re really up against a tough competition,” said Luisita team manager Joey Romasanta, whose team didn’t get much from comebacking Iggy Clavecilla, who struggled with a 38 that didn’t count.

Manila Golf, meanwhile, bumped off Orchard from third spot after scoring a 137 for a 266 total. Orchard carded 125 after an opening-round 137 for 262.

Fausto Preysler led Manila Golf’s assault with 47 and got needed support from Manoling Chan and Alex Prieto, both with 45. Orchard drew 43 from Joe Gonzales and a pair of 41s from Ryan Abdon and Chito Servida.

Cebu Country Club’s Montito Garcia matched the 49 of Unson and Avena as the Cebuanos stayed at fourth with 261 after two days.

Meanwhile, NOGCC-Marapara scored 129 to wrest the Founders division lead with 255. Four points adrift was Alta Vista (251), followed by Villamor (249), Pueblo De Oro 249, and first day leader Wack Wack (248).

Victorias and Bayanihan Golfers took command of the Sportswriters division, pooling 216 to steer three points clear of Baguio Golf, with Guinhalaran (211), Vancouver Golf Association (211) and Sarangani Golf (210) on its trail.

 Bayanihan Golfers  and Sienna Plantation shared top view in the Friendship division with 198.