Canlubang widens lead over TCC in PAL Interclub

MANILA, Philippines – Canlubang Golf and Country Club carded a third round 145 at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country to inch closer in an unprecedented bid for Philippine Airlines (PAL) Interclub history. Joseph Labajo humbled the par 72 6,4500-yard Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club course in Davao City with a three under par 69 to star for the Laguna sweet swingers for 39 points while Jessie Balasabas made 38, Alvin Engino shot 36 and Labajo’s brother Mario contributed 32. Together with their earlier efforts of 133 and 132, the Canlubang bets goes back to Apo Saturday for the final round with 410 and a comfortable 10-point lead. The Country Club, Canlubang’s neighbor, fired 137 on Antonio Asistio’s 39, the 33s of Joey Huerva and Dante Beciera and Anthony Fernando’s 32 to start the final 18 with a combined 400 points. A victory for Canlubang will make it the first team ever to score a double four-peat in the men’s regular event that began in 1948 and the seniors that had its beginnings in 1987. Mactan Island Golf played Rancho Palos Verdes with 108 at Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country to virtually capture the Sportswriters Division pennant. Together with its opening round 103 then 113, the parbusters from Cebu goes into the final round with 324 and 30 points ahead of closest rival Apo which shot 93 for 294, followed by Camp John Hay 90-288, Sherwood Hills 96-282 and Camp Evangelista 87-276. Eagle Ridge came up with 99 also at Palos Verdes to go with its first-round 92 for 191 and a five-point lead over closest rival Philipine Navy in their own battle for the Friendship Division pennant. The division was reduced to three rounds after tournament director Buddy Resurreccion cancelled the second round when strong rains flooded some of the fairways at Rancho Palos Verdes. Tournament format allows teams to have 10 players, but they can only field five each round with the best fours counting. The PAL scoring system is used that awards one point for bogey, two par, three birdie, four eagle and so on. – GMANews.TV