Sugar Barons looking forward to PAL repeat

CEBU, Philippines  – After wresting back the PAL Interclub seniors crown from rival Luisita last Sunday, Canlubang has trained its sights for a title repeat this early and start another long reign.

With reigning national seniors champion Abe Avena expected to suit up next year, the Sugar Barons will surely be a formidable force to crack when they defend the championship at a venue still to be announced.

Avena missed this year’s event because of a rib injury and will have a full year to recover while Tommy Manotoc, who marked his return to Interclub play with a victory, will be trying to use a conventional-sized putter for the first time.

Dave Hernandez, Rolly Viray, Tony Olives, Luigi Yulo and Mari Hechanova will all be back next year and if Manotoc and Avena become available, the Sugar Barons could be tough to unseat.

Manotoc’s stint is in question because the belly or long putter will be banned starting next year, and he has hinted that he won’t be as effective using the conventional putter he last used in 1990.

But like Avena, he will have a full year to re-master his putting touch.

With Manotoc on the firing end, the Sugar Barons posted a 17-point victory over the Lusitans, Canlubang’s eighth championship in the country’s unofficial team golf championship.

Meanwhile, the men’s play starts tomorrow with Orchard seeking a repeat over a tough field that includes a Cebu Country Club side that always plays its best on home soil.

Orchard ruled the event last year at the Marapara and Binitin layouts in Bacolod and will be playing this year minus John Kier Abdon, who has turned pro.

Hotel H2O, Travelife, Boeing International Corp., Business Mirror and GE Aviation are sponsoring the PAL Interclub Seniors and regular men’s events. Other backers include Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), People Asia Magazine, Whealth Inc., Aerospace, Uniglobe Travelware Co. Inc., Tanduay Distillers and Intercontinental Manila.