BAGUIO CITY, Philippines (Dec. 9) – Defending champion Eastridge–Primehomes I launched its title defense in strong fashion after posting a three-over 141 to seize a two-point lead in the premier Fil-Championship of the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at the John Hay Golf Club on Tuesday.
Bobe Salahog spearheaded the early charge with a tournament-best two-under-par 38, highlighted by five birdies despite a bogey on No. 11 and a costly pickup at the tough ninth hole. Edison Tabalin backed him up with a one-under 37, providing the bulk of the team’s opening output. Ronel Taga-an contributed 34 points while Miko Granda added 32.
Just two points behind is Januarius Golf Team 1 with 139, paced by Terence Macatangcay’s one-under 37. Cuckie Hong turned in an even-par 36, while Coby Ronlida and Jet Mathay added 34 and 32, respectively.
Batangas Barakos Supremo sits in third at 128, anchored on the 35 of Charles Serdena. IMG/SPES placed fourth with 119, led by Zachary Villaroman’s 34, while SPES 1 fell to fifth with 111 after a two-point penalty.
Am Championship – EGC Primehomes Takes One-Point Lead
At the Baguio Country Club, Jared Saban fired a strong opening 30 to lift EGC Primehomes to 104 points and a slim one-point lead in the Am Championship. AJ Wacan also had 30, while Alexis Nailga and Santi Manuel Asuncion added 25 and 20.
Team M trailed closely with 103, built on rounds of 29, 26, and 24 from Matthew Manotoc, Carlo Quimson, Michael Manotoc and Meynard Ko. Eastridge–Primehomes 2 followed in third with 99 behind Patrick Gene Tambalque’s 28. Team CAGC had 95, while John Hay Golf rounded out the field with 71.
Fil-A and Am-A Results
In Fil-A, Team Brookside 1 surged to the top with 118 points behind Roy Nudalo’s 31 and Neil Alfonso’s 30. Cesar Rodulfo and Ferdie Barbosa added 29 and 28.
Januarius stood second with 114, led by former pro Ray Sangil’s division-best 33. Jonar Austria (32), Kirby Lachica (26), and Fernando Zaldarriaga (23) rounded out the score.
Team Cargo Logistics 1 and X1R Smartscore 1 were tied for third with 109. Santino Laurel led Cargo with 29, while Ace Stehmeier topped X1R with 31.
In Am-A, Januarius built a three-shot cushion behind Marco Olives’ 32, supported by Neil Uy (26), Raymund Bunquin (22), and Rodel Mangulabnan (19).
Grumpy Joe–Angeles placed second with 96, paced by Ranz Luis Balay-odao’s 34. Valley Golf held third with 94, led by Jose Lorenzo Flores (30).
Fil-C and Am-C
Green Golfers rebounded from last week’s Am Championship loss with a strong 92-point opening to lead Fil-C by three. John Paul Puckett topped the squad with 29, while Suny Fontilea and Eric Espadero carded 22 each, and Douglas Puckett added 21.
Eastridge–Lagitek International closely followed with 91, led by Lindsey Salilig’s 28.
In Am-C, FB Bantales Engineering Construction opened with an 84 and a three-point lead behind George Punasen’s division-best 28. Team Aquatico followed with 71, powered by Philip Quano’s 24.
Fil-F and Am-F Highlights
Clifford Oliva and Manny Obrera combined for 51 points as Jaco Farm stayed on top of Fil-F with 75 for a two-day total of 158. Ian Johnson and Joey Ancheta contributed 13 and 11.
Baguio City Golf Team surged with a flight-best 82 for 152 total, trimming Jaco Farm’s lead from 13 to just six behind Michael Atolba’s 26 and Joel Angday’s 25.
Roxas Isabela and City of Pines were tied at 145, followed by Macquarrie Links Sydney 1 with 142.
In Am-F, Fil-Golfers of Honolulu 2 remained dominant with a 129 total, padding its lead to 25 despite slowing to 58 in the second round. Lito Fuentes remained consistent with 20. Surigao Kyro 2 moved to second with 104 despite a two-point penalty, while Moto–MLPSI 2 and Breathe Baguio were tied at 103.
