DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Manila Southwoods launches its three-peat bid in the 70th Philippine Airlines Interclub Men’s Championship today, carrying high hopes it can get the job done against an equally determined set of challengers.
With four holdovers from last year’s triumphant crew led by Japanese Yuto Katsuragawa and Junjun Plana back and new talents coming in, Southwoods non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano is upbeat about their chances to repeat in the prestigious team competition.
“Our team is less experienced compared to last year’s squad but certainly is more talented,” said Escano, who will also lean on Kristoffer Arevalo, Liam Cully, Aira Alido, Jet Sajulga, Aidric Cha, Carl Corpus, Tom Kim and Jama Reyes.
The Carmona-based shotmakers engage former champs Canlubang, Luisita and Del Monte in a four-cornered battle for supremacy that starts at the tree-lined Apo Golf.
Escano underscored the importance of submitting good scores at Apo, the tough course that tests the participants in the first and final rounds. The well-manicured Palos Verdes will host the middle rounds.
“Whichever team scores well at Apo will have a great chance to win. Apo will decide the champion. I have no doubt about it,” said Escano.
Last year in Clark, Southwoods won the crown by 10 points in the strength of a fiery windup but the team downplays its edge here as it braces for a dogfight with Canlubang, Luisita and Del Monte.
Canlubang is looking for its first title since 2010 with Rupert Zaragoza, Carlo Villaroman, JP de Claro and Luis Castro anchoring its bid.
Luisita brings in two members of its triumphant squad in last week’s Seniors Championship – Eddie Bagtas and Jingy Tuason – to try to annex the Regular title in partnership with young guns like Dan Cruz and Luis Miguel Guerrero.
Del Monte parades a roster led by former national mainstay Jelbert Gamolo in its effort to win the crown it last won in 2011.
The tournament has Mareco Broadcasting Network, A&E Networks Asia, RMN Networks, Fox Networks Group, Rolls-Royce, TV5, MasterCard, TFC as Platinum sponsors.
Other backers are Asian Air Safari, Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Sabre Airline Solutions, Baron Travel Corp., Boeing, MX3, GE Aviation, Bombo Radyo Philippines, Asia Brewery, Tanduay Distillers, Sabre Airline Solutions and Tourism Promotions Board.
Shangri-La at The Fort, Trinity Insurance and Eton Properties are donors.