CEBU, Philippines - The tandem of Edward Go and Francisco Acosta hold the overall lead after the penultimate day of the 30th Coral Invitational at the Cebu Country Club.
The final half of the field of around 200 teams, will be playing their final round today.
Go and Acosta fired rounds of 84 and 82 for a two-day total of 166 points in the Modified Stableford Scoring System. The pair also made it into the seniors division of the event as the total age of the players has reached 120 years.
The tandem of Eugene Tio and Henry Chu scored a total of 164 strokes and are second overall.
In the first round, Tio made 41 points while Chu shot 42 for a total of 83. In their second round yesterday, Tio shot 42 while Chu made 39 points for a total of 81.
Lawyers Tito Pintor and Marlou Cugtas have an aggregate of 159 points on rounds of 79 and 80 points.
Following them is the tandem of Zamboangueños Ramon Sebastian and Renson Que with 156 on rounds of 80 and 76.
One point back is the tandem of Tadashi Ochiai and Bing Moreno with 155.
In the seniors' division, running second to Go and Acosta are two teams with 154 points each. These are Ang Chiong and Nido Lao, who fired rounds of 71 and 83 and that of former basketball teammates with the University of San Carlos Green and Gold Warriors Vince Colina and Bobby Barria with rounds of 81 and 73.
One point back is the all-doctor tandem of Miguel 'Mike' Mancao and Ernesto Cabahug with 153 on rounds of 72 and 81.
Aside from the age classification, the teams are also classified according to handicap classes.
In the battle for the lowest gross honors, the team of Mark Dy and Fernando Mondares hold the provisional lead with a two-day total of 124 points. They are followed by Bayani Garcia and JJ Alvarez with 118 points.
The tandem of Glenn Sebastian and Perry Pe, which was leading after all teams played their first round, will close the tournament today. All eyes will be on the pair as well as that of Marko Sarmiento and Mark Garcia and Boboy Durano and Rzy Razon, which also figured prominently after playing their first round.
In the battle for the lowest gross honors, there are three teams to watch - Ramontito and Richie Garcia, Jovi Neri and Andre Borromeo, and Carl Almario and Enrico Solon.
The award rites will be held tonight at the CCC ballroom. (FREEMAN)