DAVAO CITY – Luisita ended the two-year reign of Canlubang by completing a wire-to-wire victory Saturday at the close of the 31st Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships.
The Tarlac-based squad, reinforced by four club champions, collected 594 points in the four-day event, beating Canlubang by 11.
Rodel Mangulabnan, one of Luisita’s four recruits, scored 50 points at the Apo Golf and Country Club, matching his first round output.
The rest of the Luisita squad struggled, but had enough cushion to hold off Canlubang’s spirited rally.
Eddie Bagtas, Luisita’s top gunner, dropped six shots in the front nine on his way to 45 points while the 44 of either Jingy Tuason or Alan Alegre counted for 139 points.
Canlubang, which started the day 22 points behind Luisita, rallied behind a pair of 52s by Abe Rosal and Dave Hernandez, but managed to cut the lead to half after closing out with 150.
Rene Unson, Canlubang’s third scorer, finished bogey-bogey-double bogey for 48.
Del Monte, which trailed Luisita by 14, unravelled in the final round, limping home with 129 points.
Arsenio Mondilla led Del Monte with 46 followed by Erning Apas 44.
It was Luisita’s 16th title, reinforcing its status as the most successful club in the seniors’ event.
