BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 28, 2025) — A tight race unfolded on opening day of the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament, with a two-way tie emerging in Fil-D Seniors and Benlife Seniors 1 seizing a commanding 10-point lead in Fil-C Seniors at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club courses.

A1/MGC and Abetamu both tallied 91 points to share the early lead in Fil-D Seniors.
A1/MGC drew solid performances from Gabriel Javelosa with 26 points, Ramon Ocampo with 23, Edward Isidro with 22, and Arsenio Madriaga with 20.

Abetamu countered with a 29-point output from Romeo Dungca, a 27 from Rhodel Tivera, and contributions of 19 and 16 from Ariel Araja and Vergel Vicencio, respectively.

Meanwhile, Joselito Tan fired 27 points to lead BCC TOO to an opening total of 87—good for a 17-point advantage also in Fil-D Seniors. Tan, a local contractor, carded two birdies but also endured two pickups at the longer John Hay layout. Teammates Bong Banagaoet and Edgar Dirige chipped in with identical 21s, while Mon Aldana added 18.

In Fil-C Seniors, Clifford Lichaytoc delivered the day’s biggest spark with a 30-point haul, powering Benlife Seniors 1 to a strong start and a 10-shot cushion. Supporting him were George Goduco and Gerardo Rivera with matching 22s, and Jaime Fernandez with 16.

Godofredo Laurente scored 28 points to anchor Fil-Am Golf of Florida 1 to 80 points, placing them in second. Team City of Vallejo followed in third with 76 points, led by Abraham Rojas who also posted 28.

More than 700 golfers are competing this week, with the welcome party scheduled tomorrow at the John Hay Golf Club.

Tournament officials also announced that two brand-new Mazda MX-5 cars will be raffled off to participants this year.

Hole-in-one prizes include a Toyota Raize, a Mazda CX-30 HEV, a Get Go two-seater golf cart, ₱200,000 worth of K&G apparel, and a luxury four-day, three-night Vietnam vacation with two golf rounds. Also at stake are premium golf sets from Honma, XXIO, Taylormade, and Tsuruya.