San Miguel bags Fil-Am seniors crown

BAGUIO CITY — Last year, they won through countback. This time, it was by a single stroke.

And so San Miguel – Northern Cement I cruised to winning the premiere Seniors Fil-Championship- of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament presented by San Miguel Thursday, Nov. 30.

But then it was not the opponent San Miguel was expecting but a team that came from two rungs down that gave San Miguel a run for their money.

Megafiber scored the day’s best production as it came out with all its gun ablazing to register a 123 and 486 total just a point off San Miguel which closed with 114 and 487.

Bong Sison led San Miguel’s charge as he broke the 30s with a 31, even as team captain and former pro Eddie Bagtas and Benjie Sumulong submitted a similar 28, while Chito Laureta came in with a 27 to count for the team.

But it was Megafiber that stole the show and that drew praise from the Club Luisita dominated San Miguel.

“Give it to them (Megafiber), they really had a superb game and we escaped by the skin of our teeth,” said team manager Bobby Iñigo.

“It was a hard fought victory,” added Inigo, who was not that lucky at the Camp John Hay course where they lost by a single marker for third place to Manila Southwoods in the Am Championship.

“Last year we won through countback (against Pugo Adventure), now we won by a single marker. We are constantly improving,” said lawyer Luis Singson of San Miguel.

Rene Unson blazed through the short and tricky BCC fairways as he scored the only par performance, an eagle aided 61 which is good for 36 points. Jose Mari Hechanova had a 34 that included an ace at the par 3 9th hole as the two took charge of 2013 champion’s attack.

“They did shoot in the 30s and those were very exceptional,” said an amazed Iñigo.

Rolly Viray and Ben Jacinto added 28 and 25, respectively to count for Megafiber which was staring at 10 point deficit and two rungs lower at the start of the last day.