Eastridge-Prime Homes ahead by 12; Cebu Country Club leads Founders

BACOLOD CITY — Eastridge-Prime Homes came out swinging on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, surging ahead by 12 points at the halfway mark of the 76th Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Championship.

The Binangonan-based team posted an impressive 204-point total at Bacolod Golf Club, leaving the competition in their wake.

Jeff Lumbo, Alexander Bisera, and Ronel Taga-an each carded 35 points, giving Eastridge a commanding lead.

Tagaytay Highlands-Team IMG, however, kept the pressure on as the closest competitor, while defending champion Manila Southwoods slipped to third after a lackluster round.

After a dominant victory at the Fil-Am Invitational in Baguio last month, Eastridge entered the tournament with high hopes.

But on Wednesday, they made a statement.

Lumbo’s round was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. He made four straight pars, then found his rhythm with two birdies, before a lone bogey threatened to derail his momentum. A frustrating pick-up on 13 and another bogey on 14 left him fighting to regain his composure. But he dug deep, closing with a birdie on 18 to finish at 1-under and help his team stay in control.

Bisera’s round was a battle of consistency and resilience. Three birdies against four bogeys kept him steady, but Taga-an’s rally was the real highlight. He made five birdies to offset three pickups.

Twelve-year-old Vito Sarines, the youngest player on the team, made his debut with 31 points — though it wasn’t enough to count toward the team’s total.

Tagaytay Highlands made a strong comeback, improving its opening-day performance with 98 points, leapfrogging defending champion Manila Southwoods into second place.

Joaquin Tolentino made an unforgettable hole-in-one on the 180-yard 10th hole with an 8-iron, finishing with 34 points.

Raymund Sangil and Masaichi Otake chipped in with 32 points each, giving Tagaytay a total of 192 points — five ahead of Southwoods.

Southwoods, seeking to extend its dominance after winning six of the last Interclubs, struggled to post just 92 points, with a two-point deduction due to Miko Granada’s pickup rules infraction.

After sharing the opening lead with Eastridge, Canlubang stumbled with just 86 points at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. This dropped them to fourth place in the Founders division, now led by Cebu Country Club, whose 94-point round brought their total to 189 -- three points ahead of Riviera.

Cebu Country Club’s scoring came from Jacob Cajita with 34 points, Jose Marko Anton Sarmiento with 32, and Harvey Sytongsia with 28. / golf pinoy dotcom