Lanang Golf Club Secures Aviator Division Victory at 77th PAL Men's Tournament
The 77th Philippine Airlines Men's Regular Tournament concluded with an awards ceremony at the SMX Convention Center on Friday, March 6, where Davao City's Lanang Golf and Country Club emerged as champions in the Aviator Division. Meanwhile, Eastridge Primehomes successfully defended its title in the Championship Division, highlighting a weekend of intense competition and strategic play.
Lanang's Strategic Lineup Leads to Narrow Victory
Lanang Golf and Country Club surged to victory with a total of 388 points, narrowly edging out Sarangani with 375 points and fellow Davao-based team Apo Golf and Country Club Team B, which secured 355 points. The team's success was attributed to a carefully crafted lineup that blended veteran experience with breakthrough performances over the four-day event.
Top scorers for Lanang included Miguel Dizon with 58 points, Jonathan Emmanuel Cabreros with 56 points, and Norben III Mata with 54 points. Other key contributors were Luis Antonio Balajadia (49 points), Danny Nagayo (47 points), Domenico Venuti (45 points), Alberto Belen (37 points), Jockson Liu (36 points), Josue Jr. Tesado (36 points), and Mark Villorente (32 points).
In an interview with SunStar Davao, Danny Nagayo explained the team's strategy: "We built a smart lineup that balanced each member's strengths. By understanding each player's weaknesses and sticking to a single course, we created breakaway scores all four days." This approach proved effective, allowing Lanang to maintain consistency and secure the win.
Eastridge Primehomes Defends Championship Title
In the Championship Division, Eastridge Primehomes dominated with 563 points, outpacing Manila Southwoods at 530 points and Tagaytay Highlands at 503 points. Top scorer Alexander Bisera led the team with impressive rounds of 38-38, supported by teammates Adrian Bisera, Ralph Rian Batican, Edison Tabalin, Niño Villacencio, AJ Wacan, and Rolando Bregente Jr.
Reflecting on his performance, Alexander Bisera said, "I focused on consistency and the mindset of the game. Playing every day kept me sharp. I feel grateful and happy with the win." His dedication and steady play were crucial in Eastridge's successful title defense.
Other Divisions Showcase Competitive Depth
The tournament featured several other divisions, each with its own fierce competition. In the Founders Division, Forest Hills claimed victory with 501 points, followed by Brittannika at 477 points and Cebu Country Club close behind at 471 points, demonstrating a tight battle among the top teams.
The Legacy Division was led by the Philippine Army with 436 points, with Zamboanga finishing second at 427 points and Rancho Palos Verdes Golf & Sports Club Team 1 of Davao City taking third with 425 points. In the Sportswriters Division, Liloan emerged first with 322 points, Davao City second with 309 points, and DOLE Kalsangi third with 293 points. The Friendship Division champions were South Pacific Team B of Davao City with 289 points, followed by Paraiso Golfers Player Association at 243 points and Yokohama Eagles at 242 points.
Individual Flight Winners Highlight Tournament Talent
Individual Flight winners underscored the tournament's competitive depth. In Flight A, Alexander Bisera of Eastridge captured the title with 76 points, followed by teammate Bobe Salahog at 73 points and Jude Eustaquio of Forest Hills also at 73 points.
Flight B honors went to Gerardo de Leon of Negros Occidental with 67 points, with Christopher Tan of Apo Team A and Kyung Young Jung of Sherwood Hills tying at 66 points. Flight C saw Arvin Ong of West Highlands take the top spot with 61 points, closely followed by Juben Villarosa of Illana Bay at 61 points and Ranz Balay-Odao of Tagaytay Midlands at 59 points. In Flight D, Pudin Bahlan of the Philippine Army shot 54 points to win, with Louis Mapanzure and Noor Abdullah of Illana Bay both at 51 points.
Record Participation and Sponsorship Support
This year's tournament set a new record with 214 teams participating, including 90 in the men's regular division, emphasizing the enduring popularity of the Interclub event since its inception in 1948. The event was supported by a range of sponsors, including diamond partner Mastercard, gold sponsors PRIMAX and Ajinomoto, silver sponsor Okada Manila, and bronze sponsors ABS-CBN Global, Boeing, Philippine National Bank, and Tanduay. Official hotel partners Dusit Thani Davao and Newport World Resorts Hotel also contributed to the tournament's success.
The 77th Philippine Airlines Men's Regular Tournament not only celebrated athletic excellence but also highlighted the growing interest and competitive spirit in golf across the Philippines, with teams from various regions showcasing their skills and dedication to the sport.
