Camp John Hay I reassumed command of Fil A in the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament as their games resumed at the Baguio Country Club Thursday. Luigi Paolo Wong shot a flight best three over for 33 points to lead CJH I to a third day total of 108 and power the co-host team to 365 points with a round left. With a pair of 26 points from Melchor Carlos Rabanes II and Emilio Curran and a 23 from Leonard Corpuz, CJH I is now two off overnight leader Forest Hill II which wilted under an unforgiving BCC course where the latter came up with 95 points. The squad had 27 from Dan Braganza, 24 from Joshua Buenaventura ad a pair of 22 from Pierre Ticzon and Adrian Romero that allowed CJH I to overhaul an 11 point deficit going to the final round. Eastridge Primehomes is a distant third at 345 after an 88. Forest Hills 2, meanwhile, wrested the lead from Time Cargo Logistics 2 after a 121 at the longer Camp John Hay course. With an even par for 36 points from Jose Carlos Taruc, a 33 from Jose Nicomedes, 31 from Cherub Alcantara and 21 from John See, Forest Hills 2 had the best round in the flight as they submitted a total of 317, just two off Time Cargo which was leading by one after round two. Time Cargo had 118 for a 315 total and 16 off Team Master (108 = 299) CJH 2, meanwhile, shot a flight best 116 and a 284 total to increase its six points lead to 10 over Team M. Geroge Punasen led the charge of the locals with 33, John Marasigan submitted a 31, Bayani Tecson with 28 and Monet Garcia chipped in a 24. Team M, on the other hand, carded a 117 for 274, and 15 off Team Surigao II, which shot 94 for 259. The Championship flight will resume tomorrow and for two days play in the BCC for the Fil flight and at the CJH for the Am teams. (CEGYCC Release)

Jhondie Quibol exploded for a nine under 60 for 45 points and lead Eastridge – Primehomes I to a 158 tally and seize the lead with 297 in the Fil Championship flight of the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at the Camp John Hay golf course Wednesday. Quibol was almost perfect as he drained a single eagle on the par 4 ninth then had eight birdies that was marred by a bogey on the par 4 seventh. Quibol birdied the first hole, but got derailed in the seventh before closing with a birdie-eagle. He then had a birdie binge in the 10th to 12th holes, slowed down in par 3 13th then had two more birdies before settling with a par and closed it with a birdie in the par 3 18th. And his team mates also made good progress as Ronel Tagaan closed with a three under for 39 points, while Rolando Bregente and Bobe Salahog counted with a one under 68 for 37 points. Eastridge zoomed to the top spot with a two day total of 297 as they take a break today, December 12, before they shift to the shorter but more unforgiving Baguio Country Club links on Friday. Nine time defending champion Manila Southwoods was equally impressive after a nine under total for 153 for a 292 tally, five shots off the new leader. Joaquin Hernandez led the charge of the Carmona, Cavite team with a four under 65 for 40 points, Shinichi Suzuki had a three under 66 for 39. Enrique Dimayuga and Miko Granada added a two under 67 for 38 and an even par 69 for 36. Day one top notcher Ian Mathay did not count with a 30. Day one leader Januarius Private Equity 1 slowed down with 140, a four over, for a 289 tally, just three off Southwoods and eight down the new leader. Terence Macatangay led with a one under 68 for 37 points, Ayon Hernandez had an even par for 36, while Masachi Otake had 34 and a 33 for Kirby Lachica. SPES I is 23 down Januarius after a 132, while Time Cargo Logistics had a 118 for a 235 to complete the cast in the premiere Fil Championship. Southwoods, meanwhile, was staring at a nine point deficit at the start of the second day, but a 120 point production saw the Cavite players start round three trailing by just a point. Charles Serdena led Batangas Barako with 30 points for the team’s 112 day two output for a 234. Zeus Sara led the charge for Southwoods with a one over 62 for 35 points to pace the team. Zach Villaroman, Santino Laurel and TJ Padilla counted for the team with 30, 29 and 26 points output, in that order, to count. Just four down Southwoods is Eastridge – Primehomes 2 which shut 115 for a 229 tally. Januarius Truespec had a 92 for 193, while Valley Golf is dead last with 175 after a 93. Meanwhile, MCG/Edmari Wednesday holds a six-point advantage in Fil C halfway into the tournament. Emiliano Mendoza fired 30 points to lead MCG/Edmari on the second day of play which wound up with 110 for a two day 223. Cris Gabo added 28, while Marc Cruz and Teddy Quizon churned in an identical 26 to count for the team. Six back is FLCA Golfers 1 which produced 111 on the 32 of Jary Tonido, 31 of Herbert Donglasan, and a 25 and 23 from Napoleon Rosito and Aldrin Osha. FLCA has a two day total of 217. Some 17 shots down is Tiyo Paeng Davao which mustered 115 points for 200. It is tougher in Am C where Isabela Leaders caught up with Red Core Solutions and are tied to the lead halfway into the tournament. Benedict Calderon shot 25, Manny Solis had a 20, while Faustino Dy and Jun Pascua chipped in an 18 and 17, respectively to count for the team’s 80 and 144. Red Core Solutions on the other hand had a pair of 21s from David Roach and Michael Miguel, and 18 and a 16 from Juan Paolo Santiago and Christian Santiago, respectively, for a 76 and 144 total to remain in the lead. Two teams are tied for third with day one leader X1R Smartscore 2 which shot 72 and a 141 total. Green Jacket Golf Club scored 77 for the same two-day total. Just two off is Razcals Gold with 139 after a 73. Pierre Ticzon shot a two under 67 for 38 points to lead Forest Hills 1 to 139 for a two day sum of 266 and now a nine point leader. Backing Ticzon is Rocky Kristian Co who shot an even par or 36 points, while Don Breganza and Adrian Romero counted for the team with their 35 and 30, respectively. Ralph Ryan Batican had a one under 68 for 37 points and lead Eastridge Primehomes to 130 and 257 total to remain at second spot. CJH GC1, meanwhile slipped to third after a dominant first day when it submitted 125 for a 255 total. Luigi Paolo Wong followed up his three under for 39 with a two under for 38 to lead the team as he also made a strong case for the individual plum. Richard delos Santos, meanwhile, shot a 30 and lead Time Cargo Logistics 2 to 104 and a two day gross of 197 and take a one shot lead on Forest Hills 2. Round one leader Team Master slipped to third after a 95 for 191. (Fil-Am Golf Media Release)

A furious start led by a four under 65 for 40 points put Januarius Private Equity I 10 shots off two teams including 10-peat seeking Manila Southwoods at the Camp John Hay golf course in the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament. Ian Mathay had a pick up on the third hole but he submitted three on the front nine then four more in the back nine. With a bogey on the par 4 fifth, Mathay had the tournament best 40 points for Januarius’ 149 tally, that is five under. An eagle-aided one under 68 put Kirby Lachica at 37, which was matched by Ayon Sanchez, while Masaichi Otake chipped in 35 points. Terence Macatangay added a 32that did not count. Miko Granada fired an opening round one under 68 for 37 to lead the 10-peat seeking Southwoods, while Enrique Dimayuga had an even par for 36, while Shinichi Suzuki and Joaquin Hernandez added a 34 and 32 to count for the most successful team in the Fil-Am. Eastridge – Pinehomes 1 matched the Carmona, Cavite based team’s wof 139 on the 37 of Ronel Taga-an, 35 of Jhondie Quibol and the 34 and 33 outputs of Jefren Lumbo and Bobe Salahog. SPES Team 1 is another five shots down with 134 and who was led by Jacob Jata who fired a two under 67 for 38 points. Over at the Baguio Country Club, Erik Escalona fired a two over for 34 points to lead Batangas Barakosto 122 for an eight shot lead. Counting for the team are: Charles Serdenia (31), Gerald Katigbak (29) and Eric Gozo (28). Edison Tabales had 33 points to lead Eastridge – Pinehomes 2 to 114 and second spot. Gary Sales, Chris John Remata and Richard Joson scored 28, 27 and 26 points, in that order, to count for Eastridge 2. Defending champion Southwoods is another shot down with 113 after rounds of 30 from Zeus Sara, a pair of 28s from TJ Padilla and Zach Villaroman. Januarius Truespec is at fourth spot with an opening round of 101. (Fil-Am Golf Media Release)      

By: Dante M. Salvaña   MARIVELES, Bataan – The spotlight is on the Freeport Area of Bataan as it gears up to host the thrilling 5150 FAB Recon Race on December 7-8, 2024. This simulation triathlon serves as the ultimate lead-up to the inaugural 2025 5150 FAB Triathlon. The invitational recon race will allow participants to experience the challenge, camaraderie, and breathtaking beauty of the venue. Designed to showcase the triathlon course and the stunning landscapes of Bataan, the 5150 FAB Recon Race promises to be an unforgettable teaser for what’s to come. Hussein Pangandaman, Administrator & CEO of FAB, said of the event: “We are thrilled to host the prestigious 5150 Triathlon here in the Freeport Area of Bataan. This event is a testament to the incredible potential of our region to serve as a prime destination for both local and international sporting events. We believe that sports tourism is a driver of growth and development in Bataan, and hosting the 5150 Triathlon is an important step in showcasing our world-class facilities, beautiful landscapes, and strong community spirit. We look forward to welcoming athletes, their families, and visitors from all over the world, and we are confident that this event will contribute significantly to the region’s economic and tourism growth.” As the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) celebrated its 55th anniversary last month, the 5150 Triathlon is expected to bring spectators, athletes, and support crews to Bataan in 2025, providing a significant boost to local businesses, hotels, restaurants, and tourism-related services. The Freeport Area of Bataan continues to invest in infrastructure and community initiatives to ensure the success of such high-profile events, further solidifying its position as a key destination for sports tourism in the Philippines. “This recon race is not just a preview but an opportunity for athletes to immerse themselves in the experience of racing at the Freeport Area of Bataan,” said Ms. Princess Galura, president of the IRONMAN Group’s Sunrise Events Inc., the organizer of the 5150 race. “It’s a perfect way to prepare for the adrenaline and excitement of the full 5150 FAB event. ” With its ideal blend of scenic coastal roads, lush greenery, and top-tier amenities, the Freeport Area of Bataan is poised to become a premier destination for triathletes, with a new course that starts at the Camaya Coast and culminates at the FAB Admin Building. Invited teams have volunteered their best to take on the challenge. Ani de Leon Brown, who is celebrating 30 years in triathlon, will be leading the pack, along with Kim Mangrobang (Next Step Tri), who is also celebrating 20 years in triathlon, as well as Faith Garcia (Century Trihard), who has 10 years in the sport under her belt. Other athletes joining the simulation race include: Next Step Tri: Aidan Mercado, Aki Lorbes, Raf Sawali • Go for Gold: Sam Bada, Jan Javier, John Patrick Siron, Raymund Torio • Tri SND Barracuda: Noynoy Jorge Cadovos • Century Trihard: Stephen Corpus, Samantha Lo • Sante Barley: Bea Quiambao, Mervin Santiago, Jonah Rivera, Mickael Bouffaut, Francis Armada • Isabela Tri: Gabb Rosario, Bernard Sayarot, Sebastian Teves, Kyle Antolin • Fit PH: Angelo Blanco, David Gordon, Jorge Mcarvel Temblique, John Patrick de Mesa, Dyan Blanco • Sammy Corpuz, Erika Burgos, Lance Burgos. 5KM FAB Run As part of the exciting lineup of activities during the 5150 Triathlon FAB Recon Race Day, the FAB Run offers a fantastic opportunity for the FAB employees and locaters to get involved in the action. This 5 kilometer fun run is designed to celebrate fitness, community spirit, and the joy of running, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Freeport Area of Bataan. The 5K distance is accessible for casual joggers and walkers, making it perfect for those who may not be competing in the triathlon but still want to experience the excitement and camaraderie of the event. The 5150 Triathlon FAB is part of the year-long IRONMAN 5150 Triathlon and Sunrise Sprint series organized by The IRONMAN Group’s Sunrise Events. This program features three stunning venues, each with its own unique charm, paired with a short but exciting triathlon course. Designed to be both enjoyable and challenging, the series is ideal for newcomers to the sport.

The regular division starts tomorrow, December 9, after the ceremonial tee today at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay golf courses with players from the Regular Fil and Am A, B, D and E flights starting their respective bid for team honors in the 74th Januarius Fil Am Invitational Golf Tournament. John Hay will host the more competitive Fil side while the BCC layout is venue for the Am side. BCC 1 and CJH 1 will try to defend local honors when it clashes with Eastridge, Modern Titos – Premium Feeds, Team Surigao 1, X1R Smartscore 1, among others, in Fil A. Guamanians Chelus, Moto, Cool Jocks. Among others will dispute the top podium in Fil B at the CJH link. Forest Hills, Time Cargo Logistics, Summit Point, Tsikoy, GMJ 2005 Construction, Summit Point, BIBAK NY/NJ, SPES start their bid in Am A at BCC. This as co-host BCC 2 will try to stop Lilo-an, Washington State Fil-Am and Bulakenos 2.0 among othets from taking the top podium in Am-B. On Tuesday, many time champion Manila Southwoods will defend its crown against Januarius, Eastridge, Time Cargo Logistics I and SPES 1 in the premiere Fil Championship. Shin Suzuki, Miko Granada, Jet Hernandez, Enrique Dimayuga and Zeus Sara will seek a record 10th straight title for the Carmona, Cavite based team In the Fil Championship. For Januarius, it will be Masa Otake who will lead the team that include Terrence Macatangay, Jet Mathay, former pro Ray Sangil and Ayon Sanchez. Eastridge is also expected to parade a strong squad to give Southwoods a run for its money. Southwoods has been one of the strongest teams since it started fielding a team in 1997. (Fil-Am Media Release)

By Aileen P. Refuerzo – Baguio PIO   Baguio City officials praised the grit and determination of the city’s contingent to the 2024 Batang Pinoy who copped a strong second place finish in the country’s major youth grassroots sports program played from Nov. 23-28 in Puerto Princesa City. Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed pride in the delegates who he said displayed high morale and aggressiveness in their events. “They were all fired up, inspired and motivated.  They all wanted to win and they delivered,” the mayor who joined the athletes during the opening parade and program said. Magalong said the athletes’ high spirits and passionate disposition outshone the fact that the city’s four-year first place winning streak had been broken this year. “There were factors that may have contributed to our not winning first place this year but it does not matter after all a second-place showing is no mean feat.  As long as we see the athletes giving their best and enjoying their events, we will be proud of them.  That is what the games are about – sportsmanship and camaraderie,” the mayor said. Baguio amassed 92 gold, 72 silver and 89 bronze medals next to first placer Pasig City with a 105-64-116 gold-silver-bronze medal haul. City Sports Development Office Head Gaudencio Gonzales said Baguio largely improved its medal output this year compared to last year’s 82 gold, 52 silver and 59 bronze harvest. “We are happy and proud of our athletes for giving a good fight until the last day of the competition.  We also thank all those who provided assistance from the preparation up to the winding down of the city’s participation to this national event.  Hindi naging madali pero kinaya natin!,” he said. Baguio fielded a total of 625 athletes to the national youth sporting event this year.  They saw action in 30 sports events namely archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball 3×3, beach volleyball, boxing, breaking, chess, cycling, dancesport, futsal, gymnastic, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, kickboxing, kurash, lawn tennis, muay thai, obstacle course, pencak silat, sepak takraw, soft tennis, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.

Luisita Golf and Country Club relied on veteran Abraham Rosal to rule the Fil Championship and deny bitter rival Manila Southwoods a sweep of the premier flight in the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at the Camp John Hay golf course here Wednesday. Rosal carded 34 points a two-over, Benjie Sumulong carded a 30, Damasus Wong and Ferdie Barbosa had 29 and 28 points, respectively, as Luisita tallied its second straight 121 and outscore the tournament’s most successful team for the title. Veteran Junjun Plana led Southwoods with 31, Raul Minoza and Judd Roy III had similar 28 and Manfred Guanko chipped in 27 for the teams 114 and 443 total. It was a head on from day one for the top 2 squads with Riviera Golf settling for third after a 111 and 431 points. Southwoods marched to the Am Championship after closing out with 85 points and 412 total, nine off, or a two point improvement on its third day, on Srixon SRI, while Greenwater Seniors improved to 395 after an 88 to take the last podium. On a rainy Wednesday morning that delayed games and even cancelled some flights, Joseph Tambunting scored 23, while Thirdy Escano and Monet Garcia churned in a pair of 21 and Ryan Abdon chipped in a 20 to count for the team that won another title in an already stacked up trophy room of the Carmona, Cavite squad. Francis Telan top scored for Srixon with 26, Steve McDonald forged a 21, while Demetrio Saclut and August Cruz added a pair of 18. Greenwater Seniors had the flight best score with 88on the 25 of Ernesto Lim, the 23 and 22 of Douglas Puckett and Roland Punzalan, respectively, and the 18 of Sunny Fontilea. Camp John Hay 2 officially walks home with the title in Seniors Am A with a closing round of 86 and 393 points, 37 off The Young Ones and another 16 on BIBAK NY/NJ Igolfers USA. Meanwhile, games in Fil B and C were cancelled yesterday due to strong rains, even as the earlier flights continue despite being interrupted. In a post, the Fil-Am golf committee announced: “Due to the imminent threat of darkness caused by the rain delays, we regret to inform you that the 4th Round for the following divisions is canceled: Seniors Flight “B” and Seniors Flight “C”” It added: “These divisions will therefore be reduced to a 54-hole competition.” It further said: “Upon resumption, players will be allowed to lift, clean, and place their balls throughout the General Area, within 1 scorecard length and no nearer to the hole.” Games in Am B and C, however, were completed in the Baguio Country Club with MCG Mimosa taking the Am B crown by 18 points. It shot a closing round 71 for 344, followed by Waterlympics Pampanga which closed out with 67 for 326 and Forest Hills Palmer with 314 after a 66. In Am C, Project Lazarus held off co-host BCC 2 287-286 after closing out with 63 against the 64 of the latter. Team Na Koa landed third with 272 after a 54. In Fil D, Kalabaw Megafiber had a closing round 81 for a 286 and edge overnight leader Fil-Am Oahu 1 by a single mark. The Hawaiians had a four round 284, just one off Mountaineers which had a similar 78 and 283. Davao Eagle Masters 2 stayed a hot late charge of Melbourne – Australia but won by four. Davao closed out with 62 and 259, while the Aussies finished with a 70 less the two point penalty for 254 and four shots off another Aussie team, Macquarrie Links Sydney 2 which closed with a 64 and 250. Macquarrie Links was actually tied with Sandigan 82 2 but the former had a fifth man who scored seven while the latter had a four man team in the last round. CaliPhil Hawaii closed out with a 73 and a 236 for an eight point victory in Seniors Fil E. The team started just a point off but outscored the latter 73-66 in the last round. Korea Morning Calm settled for third after scoring 64 and 226. Sandigan Golfers 2 won Am E by 10 points over Fil-Am Oahu Golf 2. Sandigan had a last round 52 and 210, while Sandigan made 55 for 200. Green Canyon fell to third place after a 44 and 196 total. Team Foretee won the Regular Fil F title with 285 (65), 17 off City of Pines, which nipped TIEZA – Club Intramuros 2 which was leading the locals by a point after the third round. (Fil-Am Golf Media Release)

Camp John Hay Golf Club 1 returns home and wrests the command from two-day leader Mamala Bay in Senior’s Fil A Monday at the Camp John Hay golf course in the 74th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament. Dai Tsuchiya turned in a two over 71 for 34 points, while Noel Beleran had a three over 72 for 33 points as they powered the home team to 121 points to bounce from 10 down for a five-point margin leading to the fourth and final round tomorrow also at their home course. Villamor Bumanglag and Marciano Garcia added 28 and 26, respectively, as CJH I tallied 292 in three rounds. Two-day leader Mamala Bay I could only manage 106 points on the 31 of Bill Connors, a pair of 26 from Chris Howard and Dale Jurgenson and 23 from Tom Tudela. Mamala Bay has 287 points in what could be a two-team showdown in Tuesday’s flight finale. Moto made a strong case for the third podium when it assembled a flight second best of 109 to ease past Team Okinawa I. Eulalio Austin Nelson Roa fired 31 and 30 points, respectively to lead the charge of Moto. This as Ariel Mula and Emilio Javier chipped in 25 and 23 for the team’s three round tally of 268, seven off erstwhile third ranked Okinawa which tallied 97 at the longer and more forgiving CJH course. CJH 2, meanwhile, cooled down at the shorter and tougher Baguio Country Club golf course to submit 86 markers and an eye popping 307 points.   John Marasigan also made a strong case in making it a two for two for the team with his 27 and three day sum of 91, an eight point advantage in the Group II individual medal. Clyde Cabreros, Manny Solis and Bonifacio de Castro submitted 23, 20 and 16 points to count for the team. The Young Ones had a flight best 89 and cut the lead of CJH 2 33 points, but increased on the one-point advantage over third ranked IBIBAK NY/NJ/IGolfers USA to four, thanks to a two point penalty slapped at the latter for an infraction. The Young Ones had the flight best 89 for a 274 tally, while IBBAK manager 88 less two for 270. Four teams are expected to mix it up in the last day of competition in Fil C on Wednesday as they are separated by at least two points each. Silicon Valley Golfers Link Team 1 has the upper hand despite losing a point on day three to second ranked Team City of Vallejo I. The Silicon Valley team produced 90 points and improve to 227, while the Vallejo squad managed 91 markers to improve to 225. But Pinewoods Kumpadres complicated the picture by shooting a flight best 94 and 223 tally to tie LMG – Golf Cabanatuan which shot a 89. It is also a toss-up in Am – C with three teams are within a striking distance from each other. Project Lazarus leads by two after a 65 and 224. It now leads Baguio Country Club 2 by two after the latter’s 66 and 222 tally in tie for the mean time with two round leader Green Water Meadows which has 48 for 222 with its fifth man, Larry Puckett, did not report due to an incident. “A(n) (personal) incident happened. But then my team mates will do their best tomorrow. At least no one had a run-away (lead) Moreover, the guys did not play well today, including the general (Nelson Eslao) and senator (Raul Lambino). Just fight on, they can do that,” said Puckett. A fourth team lurks also and is just four shots down the BCC and Green Water Meadows with 218. In Senior’s Fil E, it will be a showdown between CaliPhil Hawaii and Team Hollywood after the former scored 69 points on day three to outscore the overnight leader by four leading to similar 163s. Just a point behind are Alpha Phi Omega Golfers Team – Team Alpha (65) and Korea Morning Calm (63). Another shot down is first round leader Team Master with 161 after a 58. It could have been tied for the lead if not for a two-point penalty in day two. (Fil Am Media Release)      

3rd HOLE IN ONE Ferdinand Nanding Ambatali of Team Ropali made a hole in one at CJH’s 11th using an 8-iron and Pro V1 #8 ball. Ambatali made an ace on the same hole last 2022 during a practice round. In photo, from left to right, are Vernon Tabirara, Nanding Ambatali, Jaime Chua and Pat Hernandez.