SUPER FIRE 7

March 1, 2024

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Del Monte opened a five-point lead over Eastridge in the 75^th Philippine Airlines Men’s Regular Interclub, drawing firepower from Rolando Bregente and Cliff Nuneza at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club on Friday.

 

Five days after clinching its first senior crown, Del Monte combined for 109 points going into the next two rounds at its home course in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

 

Bregente and Nuneza were the only players to break par at Pueblo, shooting 39 and 38 points, respectively.

 

Del Monte captain Yoyong Velez was the third scorer with 32 points.

 

Bregente, a 21-year-old sophomore at Bukidnon State University, collected five birdies against two bogeys.

 

Del Monte also drew a strong performance from 16-year-old Nuneza who bounced back after bogeying the first three holes.

 

Nuneza, who started at the back, had a pair of three-putts before hitting birdies on 13 and 14. He added two more birdies on 16 and 18 to reach the turn on 2-under.

 

Del Monte’s strong start mirrors its senior team’s performance that led to a runaway championship last week.

 

“Will history repeat itself?” Velez posed this question while looking forward to playing at Del Monte.

 

As defending champion Manila Southwoods struggled to keep pace, Eastridge stepped up to challenge Del Monte.

 

Chris John Remata shot 36 points, Jeffren Lumbo added 35 and Jhondie Quibol chipped in 33 as the Binangonan-based squad kept Del Monte within arm’s length.

 

Miko Granada and Shinichi Suzuki fired 35 and 32, respectively but Manila Southwoods was pulled down by the 29 of either Junjun Plana or Zach Castro.

 

South Pacific Davao brought up the rear with 83 points behind Nino Villacencio (32), Edmar Salvador (30), and Jomar Salvador (21).

 

Competition was tight in the Founders division where Cebu Country Club took a one-point lead over Wack Wack.

 

CCC assembled 98 points behind Jacob Cajita’s 35 followed by Jon Joseph Alvarez and Harvey Sytiongsa with 35 and 30, respectively.

 

Wack Wack drew 35 points from Perry Bucay and a couple of 31s from Geoff Tan and Theodore de Jesus to trail CCC.

 

Two points behind WW was Forest Hills which collected a pair of 32s from Raymundo Inigo and Don Breganza and a 31 from Rocky Kristian Co.

 

Six other teams were within eight points of CCC, promising a dramatic finish on Sunday. They are Valley (93), Canlubang (92), Eagle Ridge (91), The Orchard (90), Riviera Golf (90), and Del Monte (90).

 

The 75^th staging of the PAL Interclub is supported by diamond sponsors Mastercard and Asian Journal.

 

Platinum sponsors include Airbus, Primax Broadcasting Network and Araw Hospitality while gold sponsors are Tanduay and Asia Brewery.

 

Joining the event as silver sponsors are ABS-CBN Global, Radio Mindanao Network and Philippine National Bank.

 

VISA is a minor sponsor while Must Glow is joining as a donor.

 

Complete first-round scores:

 

CHAMPIONSHIP

Del Monte Team 1 109, Eastridge 104, Manila Southwoods 96, South Pacific Davao 83

 

FOUNDERS

Cebu 98, Wack Wack 97, Forest hills 95, Valley 93, Canlubang 92, Eagle Ridge 91, The Orchard 90, Riviera 90, Del Monte Team 2 90, Alabang 87, Negros Occidental 85, Pueblo Team 1 84, Manila Golf 84, Sta Elena 78, Apo 77, Rancho Palos Verdes 76, Tagaytay Highlands 71, Southern California Redhawk 69, Team Brookside 64

 

AVIATOR

Camp Aguinaldo 90, Tagaytay Midlands 88, Sherwood Hills 78, Alta Vista 77, Zamboanga 74, Lumbia 73, Ambagan 72, Villamor Airbase 72, Brittannika 71, Summit Point 68, Pueblo Team 2 67, Club Filipino de Cebu 67, Fairways & Bluewater 63, Fil Am Fairway Team 1 62, Filam Fairfield 60, Camp John Hay 58, Iligan 55, MSU Marawi 54, Guinhalaran 46, Illana 44, Negros International 43

 

SPORTSWRITER

San Juanico 91, South Cotabato 83, UP Tee Jots 73, Lanang 72, Sarangani 68, West Highlands of Butuan 66, Camp Evangelista 65, Filipino Golfers Association Kuwait 63, Davao 61, Bacolod 60, Stanford 59, Dakak 58, Apo, 56, Veterans 52, Liloan 52, Baguio 52, Filipiono Golfers Dubai 51, Iloilo 46, Fil Am LA 42, Team DKGC 42

 

FRIENDSHIP

PGA of British Columbia 63, Pearl Kai Hawaii 61, Edwin Andrews Air Base 61, Yokohama Eagles 61, Caaga 61, Van City 59, Golden Gate 57, Filipino Golfers in the Middle East 56, Cotabato 55, Mt Malindang 55, Paoay 54, Seattle 53, Silicon Valley 51, Paraiso 46, SFO Eastbay 44, UAE Filgolfers Abu Dhabi 44, Fil Am Fairway Team 2 44, Fil Am Sacramento 44, Philippine Golf Club of New England 43, Green Tee 41, Greenhills West 39, Leyte 38, Fil Oz Sydney 37, Greater Vancouver 37, Brotherhood Sharp 35

 

Cliff Nuneza

 

Rolando Bregente