Tommy Manotoc stood at the forefront of the scoring binge yesterday as Canlubang wrapped up the championship division title --- the front end of its three-peat double drive --- at the close of seniors division play in the 61st Philippine Airlines Interclub in Bacolod City.

Manotoc, 59, left little doubt of his status as the finest player in the tournament by carding a one-over par 71 that was equivalent to 53 points at Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club

Also counting for the Sugar Barons yesterday were Bing Bunye and Lino Magpantay, who submitted identical 47s.

Counting his 48 at Binitin Thursday, Manotoc finished with 101 points that earned him the individual crown.

More importantly, his final-day output punctuated what had been a dominating performance by the Sugar Barons, who only need to prevail in the regular division to duplicate Luisita’s feat of three consecutive senior and regular crowns in 1993.

With Manotoc and newcomer Dave Hernandez in blazing form, Canlubang wound up with 584 points, posting its biggest winning margin of 20 points over Luisita in another anti-climactic ending at the top.

Luisita ended the day with 138 points on Philippine Sports commissioner Richie Garcia’s 50, Iggy Clavecillas’ 43 and former Silay City Mayor Carlo Gamban’s 45. Another local playing for Luisita, Francis Gaston blew his bid for an individual title when he only managed 47 points at Binitin Saturday.

While Canlubang and Luisita looked poised for a 1-2 finish by the end of the third round, Manila Golf bagged third place over Alabang and co-host NOGCC by the skin of its teeth.

After scoring 142 points Thursday, MG struggled for the third straight day, registering 128 points yesterday for a 526 total, just one point ahead of Alabang, which turned in a final-day effort of 129 points.

Hopes were high for NOGCC to come up with a strong finish but it was unable to exploit its familiarity of the course to the hilt, chalking up only 132 points for 524 points.

Buried along with NOGCC’s bid for third place honors was Luis Coscolluela’s quest for top individual honors. Coscolluela, who posted 51 points at Binitin Thursday, managed only 44 in his home-course. Rene Silos topscored for Marapara with 44, while Boy Piccio added 40. Boy Manaloto’s 37 failed to count.

Bacolod Golf and Country Club ended up third in the sportswriters division -- two rungs lower than the championship division. The division was topped by Eagle Ridge which finished with 439, followed by Philippine Navy 478 and Bacolod 475.

Orchard Golf and Country Club scored 135 points for a 517 total to top the founders division. Settling for second was Camp John Hay (516), Cebu Country Club (510) and Wack Wack (506).

Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, GE, Solar Sports and MTV Philippines are platinum sponsors of this year’s tournament, while Action Asia, PACSPORTS, Business Mirror, 105.1 fm Crossover and Royal Caribbean are major supporters of the tournament.

Also supporting the tournament are Fortune Tobacco, GECAS, MasterCard, People Asia, RMN, Bombo Radyo, Callaway Golf, Century Park Hotel, Lufthansa Technik, Patio Pacific Boracay. Callaway Golf, Lufthansa Technik, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and Pan Pacific Hotel.*CPT

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