BAGUIO CITY—Abe Rosal and Ferdie Barbosa each scored 27 points and Luisita moved to the right track for a second straight Fil Championship title in the seniors’ edition of the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational.

Benjie Sumulong made 25 and Chino Raymundo added 23 for Luisita’s 102 output at the Baguio Country Club. 

Rival Manila Southwoods-1 is close with 97 while unheralded Riviera Golf surprised everyone by placing third with 96 at the start of competition in the tournament’s premier division.

Despite getting a slim advantage, Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova believes that the team has yet to unleash its full potential. 

“They didn’t play their normal games. After our scores came in, I thought we would be behind by at least 8 to 10 points. The biggest surprise was to find out that we’d be leading by 5 on opening day,” he said.

Jun Jun Plana, as expected, led the way for Manila Southwoods, the many-time Fil-Am winner, with 31. Manfred Guangko had 24 while Judd Roy and Raul Miñoza contributed 22 and 20, respectively.

That 97 may be one of the lowest ever produced by Southwoods but skipper Freddie Mendoza remains unperturbed as he expects his boys to settle down from hereon.

“We had a good start, though not as good as we wanted. We still have days to catch up,” Mendoza said.

In the Am Championship played at Camp John Hay, Demy Saclot and Steve McDonald put up impressive 32 markers apiece, helping Srixon-IMG assemble 118 points to secure a six-point edge over the Tommy Manotoc-led Greenwater.

Manotoc paced Greenwater with 31 that was matched by Roland Punzalan. The 26 of Estong Lim and 24 of 24 of Douglas Puckett counted for the team’s first round 112.

Manila Southwoods Team-2, the defending champ, is currently at third with 104.

“With Southwoods and the rest of the strong teams, I was not expecting that (lead). Good thing the boys played well,” playing manager Bart Borja said.

In the other divisions, Mamala Bay 181 (91-90) continues to hold sway in Fil-A; Camp John Hay Golf Club Team-2 221 (119-102) has a commanding 36-point lead in Am-A; Team Master 105 (61-44) and ICSI-TMI Team-2 maintain leadership in Fil-E and Am-E.

photos: Abe Rosal of Luisita