BAGUIO CITY — The Fil-Championship of the fabled Fil-Am Men’s Invitational is going to be a close call as five teams with almost equal talent and skills are vying for the premier title at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay Golf Club courses.
For one, Manila Southwoods will be parading a formidable cast of national team members in Carl Corpuz, Kristoffer Arevalo and Aidric Chan and, together with Gabriel Manotoc and Jeff Jung.
This makes the Carmona, Cavite-based squad as the clear favorite to defend its crown.
But it won’t be a walk in the park as newcomer Januarius Team 1 also assembled a stellar cast Raymund Sangil, Marco Olives, RJ Rizada, Terence Macatangay and Kirby Lachica.
Playing captain Paolo Cagalingan is optimistic of a good showing given the extensive knowledge they have.
Forest Hills is another team with vast potential, what with a good mix of young and veteran golfers especially with jungolfers Edison Tabalin and long-hitteer Joshua Buenaventura in the roster. Gus Pachieco, Iñigo Raymundo and Jose Rodelio Mangulabnan are there to provide familiarity and scoring.
After leading Southwoods to the Seniors title, Jun Jun Plana is playing again in the regular for Time Cargo Logistics, which last year took home the Am-Championship tiara. With Plana is Manfred Guangko, the reliable Gary Sales, Justin Tambuntin and playing manager Ruel Cabral.
The Stehmeier Brothers King and Ace, two players with vast Fil-Am experience as well, will spearhead the X1R-Tipsy Pig-Mizuno charge alongside Joaquin Tolentino, Feliciano Baron and Gab Macalagium.
The Mendoza Brothers Rep. Mark Llandro and Michael headline the Riviera-Batangas Barakos. They have a solid group with Erik Escalona, Eric Gozo, Gerald Katigbak and Rudy Amata.