By NIMROD NL QUIÑONES
Cebu teams turned things around in the second round of the 67th Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament played in Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club and the Bacolod Golf Club, but the biggest mover was Club Filipino, which zoomed to the top of its group in the halfway mark.
Club Filipino, winner of the Sportswriters Division title last year in Cebu, seized the lead of the third-ranked division. The team has a two-day total of 197 points and is four ahead of its closest pursuer. The team fired rounds of 99 and 98.
Cebu Country Club, which is gunning for a third straight title in the premiere Championship Division dropped to the fourth spot while Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, which is competing in the Founders Division along with Mactan Island Golf Club, made the biggest move in the rankings.
This four-day event requires a team to field five players per round with only the four best scores to count for the team total. The Stableford of PAL Points System is being used.
CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION
Orchard continues to lead this top-ranked division with an aggregate of 238 points on rounds of 128 and 109.
Playing at the wind-swept NOGCC (Marapara) Thursday, the team was led by King Stehmeier with 32 points. He was supported by JP de Claro with 29, TJ Benitez 25 and last to count was either of the 23s submitted by Ace Stehmeier and Ian Arcilla.
Del Monte, one of the title favorites, remains at second with 232 points on rounds of 126 and 106. Mel Cubillo led the Bukidnon-based team Thursday with 30 points. Also counting for the team total were Noel Langgamin 28, Magno Arancon 27, and Jovencio Lusterio 21.
Alabang is third with 227 (109-118) while Cebu is two points behind at fourth with 225 (115-110).
Club president Ramontito Garcia and Bayani Garcia led the Cebuanos in the second round with 29 points apiece. Also counting for the team total were veteran Eric Deen and reigning club champion Marko Sarmiento with 26 each. The 22 of Andre Borromeo did not count.
There was no word yet who would be playing Friday for the team as action in their group shifts back of BGC in the town of Murcia.
FOUNDERS DIVISION
The two Cebu teams in this group struggled on the first day, but one of them – Alta Vista, found renewed hope as it made a huge move from 16th to the 10th spot in the rankings after the second round.
Negros holds the lead for this group with an aggregate of 220 points on rounds of 100 and 120. Max Javelona led the Negrenses in the second round with 32 points and the others who counted were Chepe Dulay 31, veteran Francis Gaston 29, and either of the 28s of Juston Limjap and Paulo Rojas.
At second is Valley Golf with 210 (114-96) while Manila Southwoods in third with 201 (106-95). Occupying the fourth to ninth spot are Forest Hills 200 (97-103), Apo Golf 200 (110-90), Zamboanga 200 (106-94), Tagaytay Highlands 199 (103-96), Riviera 194 (101-93), and Sta. Elena 194 (98-96).
Alta Vista came up huge Thursday with the outstanding performance of rookie Aris Mata, who carded five-over-par 31 points. Mata was only one-over-par after nine holes, but lost some of his touch in the homestretch finishing with three straight bogeys at Marapara.
Also counting for Alta Vista yesterday were teener Anton Pastoriza with 27, Marvin Mendoza 25, and veteran Enrico Solon 21. The 17 of Wendell Yap did not count.
Solon said that he will play his second round Friday in Binitin along with Mata, Charlie Gaite, Jun Zambo, and skipper Victor Gocela.
Solon said that the team is still hopeful to come up with a strong finish and land in the top three if they can sustain their momentum.
Manila Golf is 11th with 188 (94-94) followed by Mactan with 186 (93-93). Team captain Major General Romeo Poquiz led the Mactan team with 24 points along with Armand Guangko. Also counting for the team total were Hiroyuki Hasegawa with 23 and Andrew Cañete with 22. The 21 of Gerry Catindoy did not count.
Poquiz told www.fullpointcebu.com that they will be fielding their second set of players for the third round.
SPORTSWRITERS DIVISION
Club Filipino banked on the steady performance of Baltaire Balangauan and Razy Razon in round two as both turned in26 points. Also counting for the team total were Evans Tumaliwan with 25 and Peter Militante with 21. The 17 points of Ted Almario did not count.
The second team will take over starting Friday. This will be composed of Raymond Garcia, Hector Almario, Jufil Sato, Andot Mondares, and Victor Yuvallos.
At second spot is Lumbia with 193 (109-84) followed by Bacolod with 191 (97-94).
This year’s Interclub is being co-sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation, Petron and Manila Bulletin.
