At the very least, stay in contention in the first three days of play.

That’s what Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club standout Francis Gaston wants his team to accomplish in the 61st Philippine Airlines Interclub men’s regular event starting today at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club and NOGCC.

Entered in the second-tier Founders’ division, Marapara is hoping to erase the stigma of its nightmarish outing in Cagayan De Oro City last year where it stumbled out of contention as early as the second round.

“We just want to improve on our performance last year. We want to be in a good position entering the final day,” former national amateur champion Gaston, who scored 99 points to place third in individual in the seniors’ division that ended Sunday, told the DAILY STAR.

Despite its home-course edge, Gaston believes NOGCC will have a tough time keeping up with the top teams in the division.

“Of course, its (home-course) important. But its still the players’ skills that will decide this tournament,” he said, pointing out that during Marapara’s heydays, they were capable of winning even on different courses in the country.

He predicts Cebu Country Club, Wack Wack, Sherwood Hills and Riviera to figure prominently in the title race in the second tier category.

Statistics-wise, though, the Cebuanos are the favorites with an average of 57.87 points, followed by Wack Wack 57.5. Orchard is third-best with 56.14, while NOGCC is fourth with 55.87.

Young Korean Jae Woo Yang, who has practically spent the past four years honing his skills at Marapara, will stand at the forefront of the NOGCC bid.

Yang, the club champion since 2004, is joined by former club titlists Jun-B Bantug, Chris Infante and Federico “Kokoy” Locsin III, who will be the playing captain.

Also part of the team are NOGCC director Ray Anthony Lim, jungolf standout Chepe Dulay, Jimmy Feliciano, Max Javelona, Jimmy Yusay and Gerardo De Leon.

Other local teams --- Bacolod Golf and Country Club and Guinhalaran --- will play in the sportswriters division, two rungs lower than the championship division, while Victorias will vie in the sportswriters division.

Canlubang, with Negrense Joey Huerva as its latest addition to an already formidable squad, is gunning for a third straight crown in the championship division.

The team from Laguna is hard-pressed to capture the title with a victory putting them in the company of Luisita as double three-peat winners. The Sugar Barons won their third consecutive championship division title in the seniors’ division Sunday.

“We believe the guys who could cope with the tight fairways and tough-to-read greens have a good chance of winning,” Canlubang official Darly Patalot said yesterday.

Manila Southwoods hopes to unseat Canlubang, which it defeated here three years ago.

And with Justin Limjap, who begun his career at Marapara expected to add firepower to the squad, skipper Thirdy Escano likes their chances. Limjap, a student at De La Salle University, is coming off an impressive showing in the national inter-collegiate golf league, emerging as gross champion in two of the five legs.

“Both (NOGCC and Binitin) courses are short but challenging. And while Canlubang is favorite, we feel we also have the chance of winning it,” Escano said.

Canlubang is also seeking a record 15th men’s crown in the tournament that PAL launched in 1948.

Also seeing action for the Sugar Barons are Jonel Ababa, Rufino Bayron, Mark Fernando, Jess Balaban, Mario Labajo, Joseph Labajo, Paul Echavez, Sonny Boy Bialan and Peter Villahe.

Gene Bondoc, Tonton Asistio, Jun Jun Plana, Anthony Fernando, Mikko Yee, Miggy Yee, Chuchie Hung, Benjie Sarmiento and Il Jun Chun join Limjap in the Southwoods team.

Hitting the ceremonial drives yesterday were NOGCC treasurer Andy Montelibano, NOGCC president Epifanio Torre, Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and tournament chairman Domingo Duerme, who announced that Davao City will host next year’s tournament.

The tournament is supported by platinum sponsors Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, GE Aviation, MTV Philippines and Solar Sports. The major backers are Action Asia, Business Mirror, Crossover, PACSPORTS and Royal Caribbean. Fortune Tobacco, GECAS, MasterCard, People Asia and RMN are the corporate sponsors with Bombo Radyo, Callaway Golf, Century Park Hotel, Lufthansa Technik and Patio Pacific Boracay as other backers.*CPT         

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