IN WINNING the PAL Seniors Golf crown recently, Luisita of Tarlac snatched its 17th title. That was more than half of the total number of editions the tournament had been staged: 33 since its inception in 1987.

That’s how powerful Luisita has become, stringing win after win after win as Tiger Woods did during his prime. And to prevail again this year, the Tarlaqueños staged a dramatic rally in the homestretch to outlast perennial rival Canlubang.

The key to Luisita’s victory was Jeric Hechanova, whose dexterity in shuffling his men was near flawless yet again.

Here’s to Jeric’s men of substance: Eddie Bagtas, Benjie Sumulong, Rodel Mangulabnan, Raffy Garcia, Chino Raymundo, Demy Saclot, Chito Laureta and Edmund Yee.

Bagtas and Yee starred in the last two holes after Canlubang blew a one-point lead it had built with three holes to go.

Damas Wong triggered Canlubang’s collapse, picking up on 17 to make way for a two-point Luisita swing as Yee secured a routine par on the hole.

When Wong faltered totally with another out-of-bounds tee shot on the 18th and final hole, Jeric told Bagtas, who was set to play No. 17: “Ed, play it safe now as we are up by four.”

The soldier that he was, Bagtas obeyed and bogeyed 17.

And yet Yee, the former basketball star of University of Sto. Tomas, wasn’t done. N’yet.

Yee birdied 18 to give his team an unassailable four-point lead, which got trimmed down to a three-point Luisita victory when Rolly Viray birdied 18.

“Dear God smiled on us in the last two holes,” said Jeric.

Given Luisita’s lustily cheered comeback, who will dare argue with that?
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Photo from Manila Standard