BAGUIO CITY — Defending champion Luisita Golf and Country Club showed no signs of slowing down as it stormed to an early lead in the Seniors Fil Championship flight, opening the 75th Januarius Fil-Am Golf Invitational with a scorching 132-point performance at the historic John Hay fairways.
Abe Rosal set the tone with an explosive three-under 39, highlighted by six birdies that electrified the frosty Baguio morning. Despite three straight bogeys on the front nine and two more at the back, Rosal’s fiery start proved more than enough to anchor Luisita’s charge. Supporting scores came from Ferdie Barbosa (32), Benjamin Sumulong (33), and Ronald Littaua (30), giving the defending champions a solid cushion.
Riviera Golf settled for second place with 113, powered by Kyung Young Jung’s 33 and steady contributions from Chan Yeong Gim (30), Erwin Mendiola (26), and Cipriano Abdon (24). Valley Golf followed closely with 110 points behind the efforts of Ricky Libago (30), Damasus Wong and Rafael Raymundo (29 apiece), and Zaldy Villa (22).
Over at Baguio Country Club, Green Water Seniors grabbed command of the Am Championship with 104 points. Suny Fontilea led the way with 30, while veterans Tommy Manotoc and Roland Punzalan each carded 25, and Douglas Puckett added 24. Mamala Bay sits second with 83, just ahead of Srixon Team 2 (82) and Summit Point Golf (81).
In Fil-A action, Baguio Country Club 1 maintained its stronghold with a two-day total of 198, thanks to a 100-point surge from Mars Garcia (29), Politico Mayos (28), Godofredo Ignacio (23), and Edgar Montenegro (20). Hard-charging John Hay climbed to second with 197 after a massive 113-point rally led by the explosive duo of Villamor Bumanlag and Bayani Tecson, who combined for 61. Dai Tsuchiya (28) and Lyndon Julian (24) rounded out the scoring.
Baguio Blue Bloods are third with 190, followed by FODC Team with 177.
In Am-A, San Francisco Golf Warriors stayed on top with a steady 172 after matching their opening 86. MOTO sits at second with 157, Baguio Beans third with 154, and The Young Ones close behind at 150.
Benlife Seniors 1 kept its nine-point lead in Fil-C with a 188 aggregate, drawing from Gerardo Rivera (27), Clifford Lichaytoo (26), Jaime Fernandez (23), and George Gudoco (22). Golden Razcals (179) and Team City of Vallejo 1 (164) trail in pursuit.
Sandigan 82 Team 2 leads Am-C with 145, followed by IGC Travelers (142) and Bughaw Golfers (134).
The tournament opened with excitement both on and off the greens, bolstered by Januarius Holdings Inc. as title sponsor and major partners Malbon Phil’s, Toyota, Oroderm, and Mazda. Day One delivered a rare spectacle: three hole-in-one celebrations. Ruben Palecpec and Bener Bauto both aced John Hay’s 130-yard Hole 6—Palecpec with a nine-iron XXIO and Callaway ball, Bauto with a Honma Beres wedge paired with a Callaway. Rolando Reyes of Fairgolf Club added to the magic with his own ace at BCC’s Hole 12 using a nine-iron.
With early fireworks lighting up the 75th Fil-Am Golf Invitational, contenders are on notice: the chase for glory in the highlands has only just begun.