Members and coaches of Eastridge Primehomes Teams 1 and 2. (Photo by Primo Agatep)
BAGUIO CITY – The 75th Januarius Fil-Am Golf Invitational shifts into full throttle Tuesday as Regular Championship flights in both divisions finally take center stage, setting the stage for one of the tournament’s most competitive weeks yet.
Defending Fil Championship titlist Eastridge–Primehomes Team 1 begins its quest for a repeat behind the seasoned quartet of Ronel Taga-an, Edison Tabalin, Miko Garanada, and Ralph Ryan Batican. Standing in their path are two of last year’s toughest rivals: runner-up Januarius Golf Team 1 and fourth-place SPES Team 1, both eager to derail the champions early.
Januarius Golf Team 1 fields a solid lineup of Ayon Sanchez, Jet Mathay, Terence Macatangay, Coby Rolida, and Chuckie Hong, while SPES Team 1 counters with the firepower of Marvin Mendoza, Justin Limjap, Don Breganza, Emilio Curran, and Mark Dy.
Also vying for the Fil Championship crown in the tournament headlined by Januarius Holdings Inc., with Malbon Phil’s, Toyota, Oroderm, and Mazda as major sponsors, are Batangas Barakos-Supremo (Sean Ganada, Charles Serdenia, Henry Bolano, Erik Escalona) and IMG/SPES (Chepe Dulay, Zachary Castro, JikJik Abdon, Zachary Villaroman, Masaichi Otake).
In the Am Championship, Eastridge–Primehomes Team 2, last year’s first runner-up, spearheads a stacked field that includes EGC Primehomes 2, John Hay Golf, Team CAGC Regulars, and Team M. The Eastridge squad features Alexis Gabriel Nailga, Zianbeau Thurs Edoc, AJ Wacan, Jared Saban, Harry Sales, and Santi Manuel Asuncion.
EGC Primehomes Team 2 will rely on Patrick Gene Tambalque, John Robert Bernis, Gary Sales, Nino Villasencio, and Vito Sarines. John Hay Golf banners Rafael Flores, Melchor Carlos Rabanes, Martin Dennis Garcia, Arthur Allan Bayot, and Januario Nicolas.
Team CAGC Regulars seeks a strong opening led by Paul Durano, Ryan Edmar Samonte, Jomar Canazares, Adrian Romero, Alvin Tan, and Girard Pacifico Marin.
Team M, powered by veteran Tommy Manotoc, also looks to make noise. He teams up with Matthew Joseph Manotoc, Carlo Quimson, Mike Manotoc, and Meynard Ko.
Action also intensifies in Flights A, with defending Am A champion Time Cargo Logistics 2 (Theody Pascual, Dwight Yao, Joseph Tambunting, Ramon Luis Garcia) aiming to keep its crown.
Monday’s rain-hit opening produced early drama, with Team Master storming ahead in Fil B after posting 119 points at John Hay, seven clear of Baguio Country Club (112) and Moto (108). Roy Abalos tallied 34 points, with Victor Antigua adding 29, while Rolly Duran and Rolando de los Santos chipped in 28 apiece.
Over at BCC, EDDMARI/MCG seized the Am B lead with 94 points behind Michael John Mangio (26), Marc Cruz (25), Crisostomo Garbo (23), and Angelito Pineda (20). Alpha Phi Omega Golf Club–Team Omega followed with 86, while Masters Golfers had 82.