BAGUIO, Philippines – Pint-sized Rupert Zaragosa came up big with a solid six-under 63 worth 42 points as San Miguel Corp.-Northern Cement Corp. carded a 143 to catch defending champion Manila Southwoods at the helm, setting the stage for a shootout in the centerpiece Fil-Championship of the 66th Fil-Am Golf Invitational here yesterday.
Zaragosa stood tallest from among the young guns who dominated the third round action at the longer Camp John Hay, coming through with the day-best round spiked by a lucky eagle on No. 7 while Eddie Bagtas provided some veteran touch to score a 39 and Jelbert Gamolo and JP de Claro added a 32 and 30, respectively, for SMC-NCC.
Manila Southwoods, which led by three after two rounds at the shorter but trickier Baguio Country Club, settled for a 140 as Fil-Japanese Yuto Katsuragawa also gunned down an eagle on his way to a 38, Chepe Dulay shot a 35 and Justin Quiban, the reigning individual champion, and Kristoffer Arevalo chipped in 35 and 30, respectively. Ryan Monsalve didn’t count with a 29.
With identical 395s, the Carmona-based squad and SMC-NCC brace for what promises to be the fiercest final round duel for the coveted crown in the annual event presented by Toyota.
“It’s going to be a good match tomorrow (today). Despite the tied score, my boys’ spirits remain very high,” said Southwoods skipper Thirdy Escaño.
While Escano is confident of his wards’ big final round charge, focus will also be on Zaragosa, who hopes to sustain his fine form after improving his previous best of 41 last year.
But Zaragosa, who lost by one to Quiban last year, needed a lucky shot this time – watching his approach shot on No. 7 hit a tree with the ball bouncing just off the green then rolling into the cup for a 2.
“It’s anybody’s game,” said SMC-NCC captain Bobby Iñigo.
Royal Northwoods stayed in far third with a 377 after a 136 with Jobim Carlos putting in a 39, Carlo Villaroman adding a 35, and Liam Cully and Carlo Gatmaytan tossing in 30 points apiece.
Luisita drew 38 points from Cebuano Wei Wei Gao as it pooled a 134 for a 374. Brian Kim backed Gao with a 36, even par in stroke play, while Tom Kim and Wei Yu Gao counted with similar 30s.
Meanwhile, Manila Southwoods Am Championship team virtually sealed the crown with a 112 at the BCC layout for a 378 and a whopping nine-point lead over Batangas, which had a 269 after a 107 while Valley/Razon of Guagua assembled a 334 after a 93 for third.
Teener Ira Alido shot a 31, Junjun Plana made a 30 while Monsalve and Theody Pascual put in 27 and 24, respectively, for Southwoods.
BCC, meanwhile, snatched the Fil-B crown with a 433 after a 117, beating CJH, which wavered with a 99 for a 429. Che’lus I placed third with a 420 after a 103.