Luisita reclaims PAL Seniors Interclub

News Release

Luisita reclaims PAL Seniors Interclub

BACOLOD CITY – Luisita foiled Canlubang’s four-peat bid in the 28th Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championship Sunday by outscoring its great rival at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (NOGCC).

Francis Gaston led Luisita with 51 points, but credited the victory to teammate Bong Sison who matched the 50 points of flightmate Rolly Viray of Canlubang.

“Bong did well against Viray. I think that was the key,” said Gaston.

Luisita won three of four matchups with Canlubang.

Gaston nipped reigning national seniors champion Abe Avena by two while Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia tallied 46 points to beat Mari Hechanova by two.

Luisita’s Iggy Clavecilla did not count again with 42, but can take pride in beating Canlubang counterpart Sasa Mazakazu by eight points.

The Tarlac-based squad scored 147 points to finish the four-round event with 564 points, two points ahead of Canlubang.

It was one of the closest winning margins in Interclub history.

Canlubang could not hold on to its two-point overnight lead, collecting just 143 points.

“We’re happy because we won again. Even if this comes every four years,” Gaston said.

The last time Luisita won the Interclub was in 2010 also at the NOGCC.

In an exciting battle for third place, Manila Golf leaned on OV Espiritu’s 52 points to pip Orchard by one point.

Manila Golf rallied with 140 points to nip Orchard by a point with 536. OV Espiritu led Manila Golf with 52 points while Jaime Fernandez and Alex Prieto added 45 and 43, respectively.

Orchard settled for fourth while Cebu Country Club came in fifth.

In the Founders division, NOGCC Marapara held off Alta Vista to win by three points.

Lito Ong fired 42, Jude Doctora shot 41 and Chito Garcia added 36 as Marapara finished with 119 for 511.

Alta Vista sizzled for 132 points with Razie Razon turning in 49 and Emir Abutazzil chipping in 45.

Third place went to Riviera Golf which assembled 504. Scoring for Riviera were Efren Alvez 46, Monching del Rosario 44 and Bert Rapadas 42.

This year’s Interclub is being co-sponsored by CrossOver with Boeing, Philippines Graphic, Stargate Media (People Asia) and Rogue as corporate backers. Also lending support are Airbus, Business Mirror, One Mega Group (Travel Now), Philippine Broadcasting Corporation, Manila Broadcasting Corporation, Petron and Manila Bulletin.

The results:
Championship: Canlubang 419, Luisita 417, Orchard 404, Manila Golf 396, Cebu 384, Camp John Hay 325, Camp Evangelista 271, Club 1872, Los Angeles 269, Pittsburgh FilAm 195

Founders: NOGCC-Marapara 392, Alta Vista 376, Wack Wack 373, Riviera 372, Eagle Ridge 371, Pueblo de Oro 370, Villamor 367, Forest Hill 362, So Cal Redhawk 343, Apo 340, Lanang 338, Navy 333, Del Monte 333, Ranchos Palos Verdes 315

Friendship:  Sienna Plantation 318, Melbourne Pinoy 296, Bayanihan Golfers Las Vegas 295, Guam Seal 286, Traveller GC 285, Bennett Valley 283, Austra-Asian Melbourne 281, Taotaamona Guam 279, Mt Malindang 279, MSU Golf 278, Leyte Golf 273, Filam SFO 271, Moffett Field 270, Winner Circle LA, 267, SFO Alliance 266, Brotherhood Sharp 261, Fort Bonifacio 260, Peninsula Int’l 244, Greater Vancouver 241, Pinoy Vancouver 241, Guam Seniors 238, Par Breakers 230, Canfil 226, Sky West 222

Sportswriter:  Victorias 326, Bacolod Golf 322, Mactan Island 315, Iloilo 312, Up Tee Jots 308, Bay City GC Almeda 302, Vancouver  Golf Assn 301, San Juanico 300, Maharlika 299, Guinhalaran 299, Sarangani Golf 299, Iligan Golf 295, South Cotabato 294, Vancouver City 290, IABC Int’l Alliance 285, Paoay Seniors 284, Fil Am Central Florida 284, Cotabato 278, Lumbia 268, Northbay Boys 265, Bay Area Golf 262, PGA British Columbia 258, Mabuhay San Francisco 253, Sandbaggers 230, Guam Compadres 225, Mabuhay Las Vegas 205.