Southwoods storms to big 13-pt lead

BAGUIO, Philippines – Justin Quiban slowed down with a 38 after a solid 41 but Manila Southwoods gained nine more points with a 142 as the former five-time champion pulled away by 13 points over San Miguel halfway through the 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay here yesterday.

With Yuto Katsuragawa, Chepe Dulay and Tonton Asistio backing up Quiban with 37, 35 and 32, respectively, the Carmona-based squad assembled a two-day aggregate of 286 and moved 36 holes away from re-claiming the crown in the premier Fil Championship.

“The boys are prepared for this week and their good showing didn’t not surprise me. Their confidence level is very high at the moment,” said Southwoods team captain Thirdy Escano.

With his young guns delivering the goods at John Hay, Escano kept veteran Junjun Plana out of the roster, whose experience, he said, will be needed when action shifts to the shorter but trickier Baguio Country Club starting tomorrow.

“His experience will be needed most at BCC. Hopefully, we can extend our lead there,” said Escaño.

Joseph Tambunting scored a 30 but didn’t count in the five-to-play, four-to-count format event.

Quiban, a two-time Asia Pacific Amateur campaigner, matched his seven-birdie binge in the first round but fumbled with three bogeys and a pick-up, also on No. 5, yesterday. With his 41 points Tuesday, Quiban also leads the individual race with 79 points, two ahead of national champion Rupert Zaragosa of Ventureslink-AAV-Builders-Robros.

“I’m really doing great. Yesterday (Tuesday) was near-flawless, and today it was not as good with lots of loose shots, but it was enough,” said the Southville Academy of Las Piñas student in his first stint in the annual championship.

San Miguel drew 35 points from former pro Eddie Bagtas, a pair of 34s from Lanz Uy and JP de Claro and 30 from GJ Katigbak for the team’s 133 and 273 total. Ira Christian Alido, 13, didn’t figure with a 25.

Northwoods struggled with a 124 for a 264 with Raymart Tolentino scoring a 33, Carlo Miguel Villaroman making a 32 and Richard Joson and Nicholas Santiano adding a 30 and 29, respectively. Philippe Palanca, also 13, had a 27 and failed to count.

Ventureslink-AAV-Builders-Robros got 37 points from Zaragosa for a 128 as it tied Royal Northwoods at third. Other scorers for Ventureslink were Ricar Cadinato, Raymund Gonzales and Ariel Villacencio, who made 33, 32 and 26, respectively.

Over at BCC, Batangas Barakos made a 100 for a 208 as Eagle Masters rallied with a 109 to move within three at 205 after starting out 12 points behind. 

Ed Yamyamin fired 34 points, Ed Casintahan made a 28, seniors champ Fred Puckett added a 26 and Randy Cadiogan turned in a 21 for the Eagle Masters. 

Mizuno pooled a 202 after a 104 for third.

Peter Hargreaves shot a one-under 68 for 37 points as Darwin Golf Club of Australia pooled a 128 for 248 and grabbed the lead from erstwhile leader JA Global Logistics in Fil A.

With the 33 of Gary Norris, 30 from Kyle Butler and 28 from Wayne Morris, the Aussies took a 16-point advantage after starting the day two points behind.

JA Global struggled with a 110 from the 29 of Mike Manggio and the 27s of Teddy Quizon, Emiliano Mendoza and Mike Singgaran.

Camp John Hay remained in third at 232 after a 117 as Migs Garcia and Shean Bedi shot 32 points apiece and Kim Tae Hong and Park Jong Won added a 28 and 25, respectively.