BAGUIO CITY — Manila Southwoods’ title defense in the Fil-Championship started on the right track as its young guns turned in scores expected of them after the opening round at Camp John Hay Golf Club.
Gab Manotoc and Carl Corpuz each made a three-under 66 worth 39 points apiece to lead Southwoods’ scoring binge. Jeff Jung accounted for 37 and Aidric Chan added 33 for a whopping 148 points.
Forest Hills amassed 129 points behind the 39 of Rocky Co, 32 of jungolfer Edison Tabalin, 30 of Jose Rodelio Mangulabnan and 28 of Augusto Pacheco.
Januarius Golf Team is a surprise third, so far, with 121 points. Terence Macatangay spearheaded the attack with 35 markers. Other scorers were Kirby Lachica 33, Ray Sangil 31 and RJ Rizada 22.
SPES Team 1 (116), Time Cargo Logistics 1 (110) and X1R-TipsyPig-Mizuno (107) round out the teams in the premier division of the world’s largest amateur tournament.
In the Am-Championship, Manila Southwoods’ second unit was also up after it turned in 119, way ahead of Royal Northwoods (103), Riviera-Batangas Barakos (95).
Time Cargo Logistics Team-2 tallied 92 points to keep a two-shot lead over a surging Forest Hills in the Am-A division.
Joseph Tambunting starred for Time Cargo with 26 markers while Renie Floro and David Guangko produced 23 and 22 and Rusty Bayani added 21 for the team’s two-day output of 182 points.
Forest Hills was led by its general manager Raymond Bunquin who sizzled with 29. Other scorers were Ronnie Littaua (27), Edgar Lee (24) and JB Gosiaco (16).
First day co-leader E-Sparta faltered and dropped in the standings after pooling only 74 despite the 25 of Chris John Remata and 23 of John Oliver Manda.
Over at Camp John Hay, Camp John Hay Golf Club seized the upperhand in Fil-A after amassing 111 for 228 points. George Punasen signed for 33 points and Ranz Louie Balay-Odao added 29.
Uragun-1 jumped to second with 219 after a 105 – thanks to Dennis Nicomedes and Joe Nathan Tenefrancia who submitted similar 27. Don Braganza and Francisco Santana Jr. supported with 26 and 25, respectively.