Go-Cham tandem seizes Coral lead

The pair of Arturo Go and Jimmy Cham coasted to the top of the heap in the 26th Coral Invitational Golf Tournament with a combined effort of 84 points after the second day of action at the Cebu Country Club.

Go of Sulpicio Lines and his long-time partner in the tournament Cham of McJim leather goods each fired 42 points in the Modified Stableford scoring format. They are at least a point ahead of the rest of the field.

The scoring format awards six points for a double-eagle, five for an ace, four for eagle, three for birdie, two for par, and one for bogey. A player, who is playing for net double-bogey must pick up his ball to avoid a penalty for delaying the game.

Tied for second spot are the duo of Emmy Tesalona and Danny Felizarta and the tandem of Alex Garcia and Felix Villanueva with 83 points apiece.

Tesalona scored 44 points while Felizarta added 39. Garcia made 43 and Villanueva shot 40.

First day leaders Enrique Farrarons and Freddie Salimbangon are now two points behind with their score of 82 points. Farrarons shot 36 while Salimbangon carded ten-under-par 46 points.

Defending champions Jonji Chiongbian and Mike Celdran are again within striking distance as they combined for 81 points and are tied with four other teams in that position.

Chiongbian scored 44 points while Celdran, his brother-in-law, made 37 points.

Also finishing with 81 points after the first round were the teams of Gabriel Yap (44) and Anthony Bejar (37), Edgar Chiongbian (41) and Omar Cruz (40), Ernesto 'Dodong' Siguan (42) and Eddie Manzano (39), and Dr. Boy Limkakeng (40) and Danny Villanueva (41).

Iker Aboitiz and partner Steve Maniquis each fired 40 points for a total of 80 to wrap up the top five scores.

Eddie Alegrado (42) and Danny Reyes (37) finished with 79 points and are closely trailed by lawyer Joseph Yukayguan (28) and A. Kushariadi with a whopping 50 points for a total of 78. Also scoring 78 was the team of Dr. Jun Larrazabal (41) and Ed Enriquez (37).

Dr. Gene Matiga (45) and Daniel Mawie (32) finished with 77 after their opening round and are tied with Eddie Yap (42) and Cliff Yu (35).

Korean showbiz personality Joshua Kim scored 40 points and his partner Weng-weng Roa of Cagayan de Oro added 36 for a total of 76. Also scoring 76 was the all-doctor duo of Amado 'Boy' Layno (36) and Alfredo Abundo, Jr. (40).

A Suzuki Grand Vitara is at stake for an ace on all par-3 holes. Additional prizes are an Aira Jacuzzi from Sap at Cebu on hole No. 5, a watch from Lucerne on hole No. 13 and a Club Car golf cart on hole No. 15 from Club Car/Turf Company.

A Skygo motorcycle is at stake for an eagle on all par-4 holes.

In case more than one player will score an ace or an eagle, the prizes will have to be equally shared.

Major sponsors of the tournament are San Miguel Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Smart Communications Inc., and Cebu Mitsumi Inc.