Saturday, February 24, 2007
CCC moves 9 points clear
By Mike Limpag
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
CAGAYAN de Oro - Barring any major hiccup that could spell disaster, the Cebu Country Club is poised to make its second three-peat today in the Founder's Division of the Philippine Airlines Interclub, just as Cebu winds up its Charter Day celeberation.
This after CCC, skippered by Montito Garcia, broke away from a two-way tie for first to take a nine-point lead over Orchard and a 10-point cushion over third placer Wack Wack.
CCC, backed by Y101 and Rudy Project, scored 118 yesterday to take the lead, while Orchard had its lowest single day total in the tournament with 109, and Wack Wack had 114.
William Hong led the surge for CCC, which is eyeing its second three-peat in seven years, as he tallied 31 points, while Joseph Stevens added 30. Jovi Neri had 29 points, while Eric Deen scored 28. Carl Almario had 24 points, but his score wasn't counted.
CCC now has a three day total of 360, while Orchard has 351.
Tomorrow, the team will field Neri, Jojo Tiongko, Deen, Carl Almario and Mark Dy, who scored a 40 in the second day, in their final assignment in Del Monte.
"We like our chances, because Del Monte is very similar to our golf course, and it is more suited to our game," said Jovi Neri after their 118 effort yesterday.
The team is on familiar ground. Last year, they started slow, before it took a seven-point lead in the third day to win by 22, their second straight title.
After opening with a 109, the team took a slice of the lead with a record 133 in the second day at Del Monte. That performance, which was the best of any CCC team in the history of the event, might be broken today.
"On paper, this (final day roster) is the strongest team we have so far in the tournament," said Garcia.
CCC won the title in 2001 to 2003, a streak that was ended in Cagayan. They pick up their streak again in 2005.
In the Sportswriters division, the Mactan Coral Golf and Country Club maintained its hold of third spot with a 101 yesterday for a three-day haul of 313. Villamor is safely at second with 328, while Valley Golf is poised to win the division with 351 after yesterday's 114.
Alta Vista Golf slipped from sixth to seventh with 91 for 295. It trails Alabang (295), Iloilo Golf (300) and Camp Evangelista (307).
In the premier Championship Division, Canlubang padded its lead to 12 with a 145 yesterday over Southwoods. The second placer, which nipped two points off the gap in the second day, tallied 142 yesterday for a 415. Del Monte is still at third with 395 after yesterday's 127 in home course, while Riviera is a far fourth with 311.
The PAL Interclub, which is now on its 60th year, is backed by Action Asia, Airbus, Boeing, Bomardier, Callaway Golf, 105.1 Crossover, GE Aviation, Gecas, Mizuno, People Asia and Royal Carribean.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 24, 2007 issue)
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