Luis Coscolluela fired a 3-over par 73 yesterday but co-host Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club fell by the wayside as powerhouse Canlubang seized command in its bid for a third consecutive title in the championship division of the 61st Philippine Airlines Interclub.

Coscolluela’s output at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club in Binitin, Murcia was equivalent to 51 points under the PAL Interclub scoring system that gives one point for a double bogey, two for bogeys, three for par and four for a birdie.

But Coscolluela, who shot the day’s second-best round, was unable to draw enough support with Lito Ong managing 39 points and Ed Anglo posting 38 for Marapara, which wound up sixth at the end of the first day with 128 points.  Boy Piccio’s 37 did not count.

Dave Infante, Epifanio "Panyo" Torre, Boy Manaloto and Rene Silos will be in action for NOGCC in the second round today.

Taking control, despite a sputtering start, were the Canlubang Sugar Barons, who fired 145 points built around Luigi Yulo’s 51 points, Tommy Manotoc’s 48 and Baxo Adriano’s 46. Rolly Viray’s 45 failed to count.

Luisita, expected to prominently challenge Canlubang because of the course familiarity of its Negros Occidental-based standouts, turned in 137 for third place, behind surprise second Manila Southwoods, three shots behind Canlubang with 142.

Manila had Eduardo Cu Unjieng (49), Alex Prieto (46) and Severo Tuason (47) to thank for in its stunning start.

Former Silay mayor Carlo Gamban and Bong Sison submitted 45s and Pepot Inigo 47 for Luisita, which is expected to come out strong today with Negrense Francis Gaston and Iggy Clavecilla in action.

“With Iggy Clavecilla and Francis Gaston playing tomorrow (today), don’t count Luisita out,” Manotoc said.

Alabang and Pueblo Del Rosario ended the day tied at fourth with 135 points. Alabang drew 51 points from Luigi Tabuena, who saw teammates Ray Escuadro and Kato Sengyo shot 46 and 38, respectively.

Completing the top 10 are Chamorro Golf Club (127), Fil-Cansa Golf Club (105) and San Francisco Peninsula (96).

In the Founders’ division at the NOGCC, Orchard Golf and Country Club combined with 138 points to pace the field. Cebu Golf and Country Club stormed into second with 130 points, while Camp John Hay (126) and Valley (126) share third.

The senior’s competition which drew 73 squads this year are limited to players 55 and above. The format calls for each team to field four players each round with the three best scores to count.

This year's competition is backed by platinum sponsors Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines and Solar Sports. The major sponsors are Action Asia, Business Mirror, Crossover, Pacsports and Royal Caribbean. Fortune Tobacco, GECAS, MasterCard, People Asia and RMN are the corporate sponsors, while Bombo Radyo, Callaway Golf, Century Park Hotel, Lufthansa Technik and Patio Pacific Boracay are the minor sponsors.*CPT

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