Philippine Showbiz Today Vol 13 No 5 | Page 23

Philippine Showbiz Today March 8 - 21, 2018 Canlubang wins 10th PAL Seniors Interclub Bacolod City, Philippines – Canlubang captured its 10th Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub title in 12 years Sunday and offered it to a team member who passed away last December. “This is for Mike,” said Canlubang captain Luigi Yulo, referring to Miguel Preysler, a former national player based in Spain. After a forgettable performance last year in Davao, Preysler vowed to return, but nine months following his return to Spain, he died of stomach cancer. “We didn’t know about his condition, but it was uncharacteristic of him to play badly,” said Yulo, referring to the 37 points Presyler made in the first round at Mt. Apo. Canlubang rode on Abe Rosal’s 50 points to beat Luisita by eight points. Rosal was even par through 16 holes before picking up on the 17th and settling for bogey on the 18th off the greenside bunkers. The Sugar Barons also drew 46 from Zaldy Villa and the 44 from either Rolly Viray or Damasus Wong to return with 140 and 573 overall. Seven points behind before the start of the round, Luisita failed to mount a rally and virtually threw in the towel as early as the 12th hole. As the players walked to the tee mound of the 13th hole, Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova walked over to Yulo to offer his hand in congratulations. Canlubang wins 32nd PAL Seniors Interclub (Championship Division) at Marapara (Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club). Left to right: Dave Hernandez, Jun Bernis, Rolly Viray, Jomarie Limjap (President-NOGCC), Boyet Saragoza, Luigi Yulo (team captain), Damasus Wong, Jose Mari Hechanova, Abe Rosal, Abe Abena and Zaldy Villa. Left to right: Zaldy Villa, Dave Hernandez, Damasus Wong,  Abe Abena, Luigi Yulo (team captain), Rolly Viray, Jose Mari Hechanova, Abe Rosal and Jomarie Limjap. 23 SPORTS “Their young players are the ones who came through,” said Hechanova, referring to Abe and Pem Rosal, Wong and Villa. “We will rise from this defeat and try to win it back next year.” Eddie Bagtas, who fired 52 points at Binitin in the second round, struggled with 44 points. Benjie Sumulong was Luisita’s top scorer with 50 followed by Rodel Mangulabnan with 45. Del Monte outscored both Canlubang and Luisita in the final round with 148 points, but still settled for third with 549. Yoyong Velez shot the day’s best score of 52 to win the individual crown. Del Monte also collected a pair of 48s from Raul Minoza and Arnido Callo. Since winning its first crown in 2006, Canlubang has lost only twice, a testament to its pool of talents and experienced coaching staff. “We thought that Luisita made a poor decision sitting out Bagtas in the third round,” said Yulo. “He should have played at Binitin.” The Interclub’s Platinum sponsors this year are Primax Broadcasting, RMN and Fox, while major sponsors are BusinessWorld Publishing, Rolls Royce, TV5, Philippine Standard. Other sponsors include Boeing, Under Armour, Eton Properties and Asia Brewery.● - Jonathan Gesmundo/ Corp. Comms. Vargas reaches out to Cojuangco; Pato is sec-gen UNITY JUMP: The PAL Men’s Regular Interclub officially opened with the traditional ceremonial tee off at Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club (Marapara) followed by a unity jump by, from left, Genaro ‘Bong’ Velasquez, Interclub chairman; Bacolod City Mayor Evelio ‘Bing’ Leonardia; Jose Maria Limjap, President - Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club; and Andy Montelibano, President - Bacolod Golf & Country Club Newly-elected Philippine Olym- pic Committee president Ricky (VPV) Vargas yesterday extended the hand of reconciliation to everyone on the other side of the fence and even sought the cooperation of former president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco and his daughter Mikee Jaworski in his genuine bid to remove the scars that fragmented Philippine sports. “The most meaningful state- ment in my swearing in was ‘So help me God.’ When I said that I thought about everybody in this room, so help me guys. This exercise has brought us many hurts and partisan politics and I offer my hand as I have offered it to Mikee and president Cojuangco privately in reconciliation,” said Var- gas, who beat Cojuangco during the Feb. 23-court ordered elections. “The election is finished and for Philippine sports I seek everybody’s cooperation. Who knows, one of the- se days we may still learn to be good friends after this whole exercise. I also wish to acknowledge the many sacrifices and accomplishments of president Cojuangco and look forward to his continued support, and thank the staff for a seamless transition, so far,” added Vargas, who is backed by sports patron non-pareil Manny V. Pangilinan. During yesterday’s formal turnover of the POC reins, the 66-year-old Vargas also introduced boxing vice president Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio as his secretary-general while sepak takraw chief Karen Caballero will serve as deputy. Lawyer Victor Africa and Lean Aure of the MVPSF have been tabbed as consultants.● - N. Giongko, MB POC President Ricky Vargas