Mathay fires 40 as Januarius sets pace with hot 149

BAGUIO, Philippines — With a balanced attack, led by Jet Mathay’s outstanding 40 points, Januarius Private Equity scored a spectacular 149 points to vault into a 10-point lead at the start of the Fil Championship in the 74th Januarius Fil Am Invitational at Camp John Hay.

Manila Southwoods, which is going for a 10th straight victory in this premiere division, and Eastridge were lodged at second with 139s.

Mathay went on a birdie spree, making seven overall that offset a lone bogey on No. 5 and a pick up on No. 3 to finish with a four-under 65 worth 40 points. Kirby Lachica and Ayon Sanchez also turned in 37 apiece while new recruit Masa Otake added 35 for Januarius, which ended up at third place last year.

The Januarius mainstay did not expect to score well as he went two-over in five holes. He got to even par with birdies on Nos. 8 and 9. After a par on the 10th, he engineered a string of three birdies from Nos. 11 to 13 and another on 17 to seal that 40.

“My game plan was to be too aggressive to attack. Then my putting got going which made the difference actually,” Mathay said.

“They played well and kept their composure. We expect other teams to play better in the next three days,” said Januarius team manager Paolo Cagalingan.