Eastridge tames Del Monte’s home course

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon, Philippines — Eastridge drew a pair of 37s from Edison Tabalin and Ronel Taga-an to hold Del Monte at bay halfway through the 75th Philippine Airlines Men’s Interclub golf team championships yesterday.

Playing on Del Monte’s home course, Eastridge pooled 107 points to draw level with the former with identical 211 points, eight points clear of defending champion Manila Southwoods.

Tabalin, one of six Davao players for Eastridge, collected five birdies against four bogeys while Taga-an had four birdies against three bogeys.

Eastridge’s third scorer was Alexander Bisera who carded 33 points.

“The boys were fired up,” said Eastridge team captain Gimo Asuncion. “There will be a few adjustments for tomorrow’s round. Still two days to go. Anything can still happen. We hope and pray we finish strong.”

Jovencio Lusterio, atoning for his poor play at Pueblo de Oro on Friday, led Del Monte with 39 points on the strength of four birdies against a lone bogey.

Romeo Jaraula added 34 and Xhylas Luzon chipped in 29 as Del Monte finished the day with 102 points.

Manila Southwoods, riding on the strong play of pro-bound Aidric Chan and Ryan Monsalve, matched Eastridge’s 107, an 11-point improvement from Friday’s 96.