Last year, San Miguel – Northern Cement I won through countback. This time, it was by a single stroke.
And so San Miguel cruised to winning the premiere Seniors Fil-Championship of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament presented by San Miguel lastThursday.
Megafiber scored the day’s best production as it came out with all its guns ablazing to register a 123 and 486 total just a point off San Miguel which closed with 114 and 487.
Bong Sison led San Miguel’s charge as he broke the 30s with a 31, even as team captain and former pro Eddie Bagtas and Benjie Sumulong submitted a similar 28, while Chito Laureta came in with a 27 to count for the team.
But it was Megafiber that stole the show and that drew praise from the San Miguel – NCC players.
“Give it to them (Megafiber), they really had a superb game and we escaped by the skin of our teeth,” said team manager Bobby Inigo.
“It was a hard fought victory,” added Inigo, who was not that lucky at the Camp John Hay course where they lost by a single marker for third place to Manila Southwoods in the Am Championship.
“Last year they won through countback (against Pugo Adventure), now they won by a single marker. They are constantly improving,” observed lawyer Louie Sison.
Rene Unson blazed through the short and tricky BCC fairways as he scored the only par performance, an eagle aided 61 which is good for 36 points. Jose Mari Hechanova had a 34 that included an ace at the par 3 9th hole as the two took charge of 2013 champion’s attack.
“They did shoot in the 30s and those were very exceptional,” said an amazed Inigo.
Rolly Viray and Ben Jacinto added 28 and 25, respectively, to count for Megafiber which was staring at 10 point deficit and two rungs lower at the start of the last day.
Manila Southwoods faltered with a 104 and 472 total to settle for third place and just three off Pugo Adventure which failed to surmount a rally and a podium finish thanks to a resurgent Megafiber.
Meanwhile, Dugong Bughaw closed with a 110 for a 431 total and win the Am Championship title by 10 shots. Marlon Soriano led the team with 30 points, Edgar Lee and Wilfredo Princesa added 27 and Ed Rendon made 26 to count for Dugong Bughaw.
Ed Manzanares closed with a 31, while Masakazu Saso, Jimmy Dy and Butch Bakunawa had 30, 29 and 27 points for Nueva Ecija Seniors 117 and 421 total which is good for secondd place.
Manila Southwoods salvaged third after nipping San Miguel – Northern Cement by a single point. Southwoods closed with a 110 for a 411 tally to nip San Miguel which closed with a 108 and 410 aggregate for the heartbreaking loss for the erstwhile champion.
San Miguel’s Am – A team practically had a walk in the park and claimed the title in a rout.
Efren Alvez made 30 points, Herminio Salivio came in with a 29, Ariel Javelosa chipped in 27 and retired general Reynaldo Velasco added 21 as San Miguel finished with 398 for a 56 point victory in Seniors Am A.
“We just tried our best and carried proudly the San Miguel name,” said Velasco, whose team 40 up on Teerrifics before tee time on the last round for San Miguel which got 14 from retired Col. Peter Balinnang and did not count.
Teerrifics closed with an 89 for 342 in tie actually with Pines Golf of California which had a closing 92.
Camp Aguinaldo finished with an 86 for a 394 and a six shot victory in Seniors Fil-A over Philippine Navy.
Domingo led Aguinaldo with 25, Arthur Ang finished with a 22, while Martin Limgenco and Philip del Carmen added 20 and 19, respectively, to count for the team.
Navy had 90 on 25 of Eduardo Lena, 23 from Romulo Narcida and 22 and 20 from Antonio Mendoza and Reynaldo Ochosa for the team’s 388 total. Camp John Hay closed with a 79 and 370 to finish third.
Danny Gonzales led a last round rally by Veterans F/ Golf when he scored 28 to lead the team’s 79 points and 346 total for a three stroke win over Drajdan E-MTI in Seniors Fil-B.
Drajdan closed with a 74 and 343 total for second spot followed by Isabela Golf Club – PR Bank which had 66 and 318 aggregate.
Korea Morning Calm had a closing round of 95 for a 323 total and a 21 shot victory over Golf F/Veterans in Am-B. Golf F had a closing round of 74 and 302 total and nine off Fil-Am Survivors finished third with its 293 after an 80.
Despite slowing down with a 79 on the last round, Camp John Hay still managed to take a 10 shot win over Sandigan Golfers. CJH had 399 points compared to Sandigan’s 389 after an 89 in the last round.
Contractor Arnel Peil had 27 points and led Cordillera government officials to a last round 88 and 381 total to take third place in the same flight. Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut had 25, Kalinga board member Ranier Sarol made 22 and Kalinga Rep. Sonny Mangaoang and Guillermo Ablan, Jr. chipped in 14 points, one of which did not count.
Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan was enlisted in the team but did not play the four days.
Ed Gador scored a four over 73 for 32 points to lead A-1 Driving to a 108 closing round for a 375 total, overhaul an 11 point deficit, tie the three day leader Team Gregand but win through countback the Am F title.
Benny Hurtado scored 20 as he outpointed Gregand’s last man, Bubuy Mendoza who submitted a 15 point card. NBI Golf Team 157 tied Gregand’s last day production and took third place with its 367 tally.
EK Amigo slowed down with a 77 for a total of 355 and an 18 shot win in Fil-G. John Marasigan led the team anew with 29, Rudy Ragragio had 19, while Dan Pangilinan and Danny Co chiped in 15 and 14 to count for the team.
Miners Golf closed with 73 and 337 total to take second place, while LMG Const. Square & Compass NE had an 80 for 336 to edge Square and Compass NE II by a point after the latter shot a 64 for third place.
Team Saversmall saved the best for last when it scored 103 points to finish with 350 and edge three day leader Glutamax Men by the hairline.
Simon Mangio had 28, Dennis Antonio came in with 27, while Joel Fronda and Ringo Limjoco chipped in 24 each to count for the team which was third after three days but their last day effort saw them overhaul a nine point deficit to win.
Glutamax had 92 for 349, while Quick Flow Tab Con had 97 for 345 as the two finished second and third, respectively.
Isabela Producers had a fourth day effort of 75 to finish with 355 and the title in Fil H.
Club Intramuros made 64 and 299 total to easily win Am-H. Isabela Builders had a fourth day tally of 69 for a 285 and second place and nip Isabela Golf Club – Traders whose last day rally fell short by a point (72=284).**