Luisita leads Southwoods by five

BAGUIO, Philippines — Abe Rosal scored 38 points while Rodel Mangulabnan and Benjie Sumulong each added 34 to lead Luisita to a slim five-point lead over rival and defending champion Manila Southwoods in the premier Fil-Championship division of the 73rd Januarius Fil-Am Golf Invitational yesterday.

Together with the 29 of either Chino Raymundo or Dan Cruz, Luisita posted a team score of 135 at the Camp John Hay Golf Club as the Tarlac-based opened its bid to reclaim the title on a high note.

Manila Southwoods (130) got its usual points from veterans Junjun Plana (37), Raul Miñoza (36) and Bong Brobio (31). However, the next best output was the 26 of Theody Pascual.

In the Am-Championship over at the Baguio Country Club, Manila Southwoods put up 96 points for a huge 15-point advantage over Riviera (81) and another point off Leeward (80).