Eastridge, Team Master off to strong start

BAGUIO, Philippines — Bobe Salahog scored 38 points while Edison Tabalin supported with 37 and Eastridge-Primehomes Team 1 got the early upperhand with 141 in the Fil Championship division of the 75th Januarius Fil Am Invitational here.

Ronel Tagaan and Miko Granada added 34 and 32 at the par-69 John Hay Golf course for Eastridge, which is gunning for consecutive titles in the premier category of the largest and one of the longest-running amateur tournaments in the world.

Januarius Golf Team 1 assembled 139 thanks to the 37 of Terence Macatangay, 36 of Chucky Hong, 34 of Coby Rolida and 32 of Jet Mathay.

Batangas Barakos-Supremo was at third with 128 followed by IMG/SPES with 119.

Meanwhile, Team Master opened strong in the Fil-B division, collecting 119 points for a 13-point lead at Camp John Hay on a rainy Monday morning. Roy Abalos led the charge with 34 points, backed by solid rounds from Victor Antigua, Rolly Duran, and Rolando delos Santos.

Srixon IMG sat in second with 106 points behind twin 27s from Gab Macalagum and RJ Rizalda. Royal Northwoods I was close behind with 104 points at third place, holding a four-point edge over Tipsy Pig TLC.

In the Am-B division at Baguio Country Club, Eddmari/MCG posted 94 points to take an eight-point lead. Michael John Mangio paced the team with 26 points, as support came from Marc Cruz with 25, and Crisostomo Garbio and Angelito Pineda with 23 and 20, respectively. Alpha Phi Omega GC – Omega followed with 86 then Master Golfers with 82.

Over in Fil-E, Baguio Blue Bloods – Eagles surged ahead with 81 points, thanks to Nick Ventura’s 22 and strong rounds from Lander Miranda, Ron Cadiogan, and Maximo Sumeg-ang Jr. Team Kumpadres was just three points behind with 78, led by Kevin Capuyan’s 22. Yokohama Eagles (64) and APO GC – Team Phi (63) were within striking distance.