BAGUIO, Philippines – Despite slowing down at its home turf, Baguio Country Club’s seniors Fil A remained on top while its Am counterpart dominated at Camp John Hay in the third round of the 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament here yesterday.
Meanwhile, joint leaders Megafiber and Pugo Adventures or Pugad step up their respective title bids as they resume their duel in the Fil Championship today.
Host BCC kept Cordillera Early Birds at bay although the latter moved to within six points after three rounds in Fil A.
Bong de Guzman scored 20 points for the team’s 71 output and a three-day aggregate of 256. After failing to count on Day One, Benito Ang made up with 19 while Jun Basabica and Benjie Favis added 17 and 15 points, respectively, for BCC.
The Cordillera Early Birds assembled a 72 for a 250 as Rommel Gomez shot 21 points, Joe Dagan made 19, and Joseph Laoyan and Stan Ambas added 17 and 15, respectively.
Club Intramuros pooled a 75 points but remained a far third with a 241.
Over at the CJH course, Ben Liclican fired 29 points as BCC came up with an 86 to match their Fil counterparts’ 256-point output. Pines Golf of California made an 85 and stood 10 points off with a 246 total.
Pines Golf scored 80 points for a 236.
Eduardo Gador had 26 as A-1 Driving School shot 96 points for a 264 and an 18-point lead over Cooljocks, which assembled an 89 for a 246 in Am G.
Autocamp came in with 76 and 224 total to stay at third spot.
Former bowling pro Mike Ramat shot a 23 to lead Baguio City to a third day output of 82 and further locked their horn on the Fil G title with a 253 total and 15 shot lead on Square and Compass of Nueva Ecija 3 which holed out with 73 and 238 total.
VFW Post 124 Team 1 had a 68 for a 235 aggregate and slipped to third from second.
Action resumes tomorrow in the Championship flight with Megafiber and Pugo Adventure (Pugad) wage a battle royale at the BCC course.
“The test will be the BCC course, short and difficult where precision is needed, it could yet determine who will be the champion,” said Pugad captain Eugene Martin whose team is expected to give the defending champion a run for their money with increased firepower.
Pugad acquired Park Jong Won and many time individual king Fred Puckett from former trepeat champion CJH to give itself a better fighting this year. Puckett showed he still what it takes to win the tournament by firing the tournament best of 35, a one over 70.