Bitterest loss ever absorbed in PAL Interclub history

By Al S. Mendoza

(Greetings are in order for Kuya Mario Panoringan, who blew into town once more just to join the PAL Interclub in Davao City Feb. 15-25.  We met up in Davao City for the PAL Media Golf tournament, the way we did last year in the 64th PAL Interclub in Bacolod. Kuya Mario was with his wife, Atche Norma, for the event. Unfortunately, Atche Norma was under the weather during the tournament.  Till next year, Kuya Mario.)

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IT’S just fine when we lose, but when the setback is absorbed in the most bitter manner, it can really break your heart.

That’s what happened to Luisita on Sunday when it lost what appeared like a sure-won tournament.

With one day left, Luisita was ahead by 12 imposing points over Canlubang in the PAL Interclub Seniors Tournament.

Every Luisitan looked poised for a celebration.

The champagne cork was ready to be popped out.

The team captain was already preparing his victory speech.

And then it happened.

Canlubang razed the 12-point deficit.

With two holes left, Luisita saw itself being the chaser to the leader, Canlubang.

Then on the 17th hole, Tommy Manotoc made birdie, giving Canlubang a 3-point edge with one hole remaining.

It was all over but the shouting, so to speak.

The PAL Seniors, to those not in the know, allows for four players to play in each team, with the best three counting in the Molave points system that gives one point to a double bogey, two to a bogey, three to a par and four to a birdie.

Only those 55 years old and above are allowed to play in the PAL Seniors.

When the so-called smoke of battle cleared, Canlubang was the winner by three points over Luisita, routing the three-day leader by 15 monumental points on the final day of action.

With the improbable victory, Canlubang won its sixth PAL seniors crown in seven years while dealing Luisita its most humbling defeat in recent memory.

The PAL Interclub is like the annual Fil-Am in Baguio in that both tournaments give premium on team play instead of individual skills.

In both tournaments, you play for the team and not for yourself.

It encourages teamwork more than individual play.

But Canlubang skipped the PAL Men’s Regular, fulfilling its threat last year in Bacolod in protest over what they claimed as a new rule that “penalizes teams recruiting good players.”

With most of its top guns gone to the pro ranks, Canlubang was forced to shy away from the PAL Men’s Regular because of an inferior lineup.

It is my wish that all things will be patched up by the time the PAL Interclub makes its return to Cebu in 2013.

God willing, I’ll be there for my 37th straight coverage of the PAL Interclub.

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