EDDIE Bagtas and Rafael Garcia carried the day for defending champion Luisita which seized the lead halfway through the 32nd Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships Friday.
Bagtas mixed three birdies with three bogeys and a double bogey to finish with 52 points as Luisita took a two-point lead over first round leader Canlubang at the windswept Binitin.
Garcia made 50 and Luis Laureta added 47 as Luisita totalled 149 for a two-day total of 295.
Canlubang, which opened with 150 points at Marapara, managed only 143 with none of the four players fielded by non-playing captain Tony Olives scoring 50 points or better.
Dave Hernandez was Canlubang’s top scorer with 49 with Abe Avena and Rolly Viray contributing 48 and 46, respectively.
“We were fortunate to come out on top. The wind was blowing strong all day. The last two rounds would definitely be a grind,” said Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova.
The third round will again be played at Binitin before Luisita, Canlubang and Del Monte return to Marapara for the final round at Marapara.
The Founders division is also bound to go down the wire.
Cebu Country Club amassed 132 points at Marapara to take a five-point lead over Alabang Golf which returned with 129. (PR)