22 February 2010
Pressure on for Canlubang after Luisita rules the Seniors
Bacolod—Luisita gave the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub seniors golf tournament a breath of fresh air when it broke the Canlubang winning streak over the weekend. Will the same thing happen in the upcoming regular men’s competition?
That will be the real challenge for the Sugar Barons of Canlubang as it meets title-hungry The Country Club in the premiere championship division of the 63rd edition of the PAL Interclub which fires off Wednesday at the Negros Golf and Country Club.
Last year at the Davao stop, Canlubang and then newcomer TCC went head-to-head for the title. The latter raced to an early lead before the former eventually erased the deficit and turned it to an eight-point triumph.
This time, Canlubang will be faced with a tough task of defending the crown and continuing the tradition in men’s play. However, it will be facing a determined TCC squad, which is seeking to improve on its runner-up finish in 2009.
Canlubang’s probable starters are holdovers Mhark Fernando, Jhonel Ababa, and Jessie Balasabas. Anticipated to give support are Paul Echavez, newly-acquired junior golfer Jobim Carlos, and Abe Rosal, who reverted back from pro to amateur status.
TCC, according to team captain Freddie Mendoza, will be fielding in Tonlits Asistio, Peter Villaber, Rufino Bayron, Zanie Boy Gialon, JR Tanpinco and new-find Carl Ocampo. Three slots in the rosters will be filled in Tuesday.
Rosal’s vast experience in team competition will come in handy for Canlubang’s drive for a fifth straight tiara while the skills of Ocampo, who flew in from the United States a few days ago to join the team, will be tested right away for TCC.
Former winners Manila Southwoods and Del Monte are expected to crowd Canlubang and TCC for the championship.
The 63rd PAL Interclub, with this year's theme "Swing High in Bacolod ", opens this year's sporting season for the national flag carrier which flies five times a day to the capital of Negros Occidental, just one of the country's many golfing venues regularly served by PAL.
The event is presented by platinum sponsors Airbus, Boeing, 105.1 Crossover and Radio Mindanao Network. Major sponsors are Action Asia, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines, People Asia and Royal Caribbean.
The corporate backers are Business Mirror, Philippine Graphic, www.philstar.com, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network and Resort World Manila. Century Park Hotel, DWWW 774 AM, Panay News, Master Card and Thales Aerospace are minor patrons.
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