Luisita edges closer to PAL Srs crown

MANILA, Philippines — Rodel Mangulabnan shot a tournament-best 53 points while Benjie Sumulong made up for an earlier blunder with 50 as Luisita assembled a 148 to officially take command after three rounds of the PAL Seniors Interclub in Cebu City yesterday.

Mangulabnan, the reigning national seniors champion, came away with four birdies against three bogeys and a double bogey at Club Filipino de Cebu for a one-over card in stroke play worth 53 points to spearhead the Tarlac-based surge to the top at 424, six points ahead of arch rival Canlubang, which pooled a 418 after a second straight 140.

Luisita grabbed the halfway lead Thursday but yielded it moments later after Sumulong was disqualified for signing a wrong scorecard. Sumulong, however, made up for this with his 50-point effort with Demy Saclot adding 47 despite costing the team two points for not picking up on No. 15.