BAGUIO CITY—Paolo Wong shot an eagle-aided 39 points and the Camp John Hay Golf Club Team 1 opened up a three-shot lead against Eastridge in Fil A at the start of the regular competition of the 74th Januarius Fil Am invitational at Camp John Hay.

Wong made four birdies on Nos. 4, 8, 14 and 16 to negate his three bogeys. He highlighted his day with a 15-yard chip in for eagle on the 10th hole. 

Together with the 31 of Melchor Rabanes and Emilio Curran and 29 of Ranz Balay-Odao, the host club posted 130 points.

“We are pleased to have the lead against the many talented teams. The boys are ecstatic especially on Paolo’s wonderful score. We used our home court advantage,” said CJHGC skipper Leo Corpuz.

Eastridge, featuring some of the best junior golfers, assembled 127 as Ralph Batican paced with 36. Other scorers were Vito Sarines 34, Armand Copok 31 and Harry Sales 26. Jared Saban, one of the youngest players in Fil Am history at 11 years old, failed to count with his 25.

Forest Hills Team 1 later matched 127 to tie Eastridge at second. The Antipolo-based club was led by Rocky Co’s 37 and was backed up by Don Breganza’s 34, Pierre Ticzon’s 32 and Adrian Romero’s 24.

In the Am-A at Baguio County Club, Team Master was the front runner with 96 points. Time Cargo Logistics Team 2 and Forest Hills Team 2 are locked in for second with 93 each.

Roy Abalos made 27, Victor Antigua had 25, Olan delos Santos contributed 24 and Felix Sorra added 20 for Team Master.

Leading the way for Time Cargo’s output were Richard delos Santos with 30 followed by Joseph Tambunting 24, Rusty Bayani 20 and Dwight Yao 19.

For Forest Hills, Jacob Tarik and Dennis Nicomedes each produced 25 and club general manager Raymond Bunquin turned in 24. Blue Recto’s 19 counted in the five-to-play, four-to-count format.