CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY. – Rufino Bayron took
an opportune time to step out of the shadow of his more
illustrious brother, firing six birdies in a bogey-free round
of 66 Friday to prop Canlubang’s surge in the 60th Philippine
Airlines Interclub golf championship.
Jay Bayron, the country’s No. 1 amateur and
a former caddie from Davao like his brother, was not totally
outdone as he shot a one-under par 71 at the Del Monte Golf
Club course in Bukidnon, giving them a combined 79 points and
helped padd the Sugar Barons’ lead to 12 points with one just
round left.
Rookie Paul Echavez and veteran Jun Bernis
rounded off Canlubang’s scoring with 33 points each as
Canlubang finished the day at one-under par 143 points,
bringing its total to 427 and boosting its bid to score a
golden double following the elder Barons’ triumph in the
Senior Interclub last week.
"Twelve points is a substantial lead, but
15 would have been better," said Canlubang skipper Luigi Yulo.
"No, I won’t say the title is in the bag, but I have great
faith in my players."
Manila Southwoods, nine down at the start
of the day, leaned on Anthony Fernando’s 37 and Tonton
Asistio’s 36 points to finish at two-over par 142. Miko Yee
added 35 while Jong Laput chipped in 34 to complete Southwoods’
scoring.
The lead is by no means safe, according to
Yulo. Back in the 1990s, Luisita came back from 12 points down
in the final day to overtake Manila Southwoods and win the
Interclub.
Yulo, however, said 34 points from each of
his players on Saturday would be enough to retain the crown.
Mark Fernando and Jonel Ababa, who fired 39
and 38 points at Del Monte Wednesday, will lead Canlubang’s
final day lineup.
"The boys did a great job at Del Monte, but
(Rufino) Bayron had a spectacular round. We couldn’t do
anything about that," said Southwoods non-playing captain
Thirdy Escano.
Bayron, 25, set up five birdies off
brilliant approach shots and drained a 15-foot putt for the
other birdie.
Escano is not giving up the fight.
"Anything can still happen, especially at Pueblo de Oro. If
the boys can start strong and put pressure early, I think we
can still pull it off," said Escano. "If we shoot 145
tomorrow, we’ll win it."
Overshadowed by Canlubang and Southwoods’ rivalry was Del
Monte which could only produce 127 points for 395 overall.
Meanwhile, Cebu Country Club totaled 118 points to seize a
nine-point lead over Orchard in the Founders Division.
