Gandionco seizes class A lead

CEBU, Philippines - Gio Gandionco found some of the form that eluded him on the opening round to seize the lead in class A of the boys’ division of the 7th Alta Vista Junior Golf Challenge yesterday.

After an opening round of 77 strokes, Gandionco showed why Alta Vista is his home course, by shooting one-over-par 73 strokes for a total of 150 and a 1-stroke lead.

Del Monte’s Francis Morilla, who was tied with Gandionco for fourth after the first day, fired 74 strokes yesterday to move up to solo second with 151.

The biggest mover was Lloyd Jefferson ‘LJ’ Go of Cebu Country Club, who fired three-under-par 69 strokes to climb to third with 152 after a disastrous opening round of 83.

Alta Vista’s David Park is at fourth with 154 (75-78) while opening round leader Justin Quiban of Phil. Navy dropped to a share of fifth with 154 (74-80) along with teammates Chang Yo Shen (76-78) and RJ Tallud (79-75).

Class A is for players aged 15 to 17 years old.

In the girls’ division of the same age class, Apple Fudolin of Del Monte holds on to the lead with a two-day total of 167 (82-85). She is followed by Alta Vista’s Emy Lou Tan with 172 (89-83).

Cebu Country Club’s Gen Nagai scored another round of 74 strokes for an aggregate of 148 to lead class B (13-14 year old). Running second is Del Monte’s Jelbert Gamolo with 154 (79-75) followed by Alta Vista’s John Philip Hernandez with 166 (82-84).

For the distaff side, Alta Vista’s Ericka Lim had another round of 82 to keep the lead with 164 strokes. Alyeska Yunam, also of the host club, fired 80 strokes yesterday to add to an opening round of 89 to move up to second place with 169. Del Monte’s Pamela Mariano dropped to third with 170 on rounds of 85.

Camp Aguinaldo’s Kristoffer Arevalo leads the class C (11-12) boys’ group with 75 strokes. Their tournament opened only yesterday.

At second spot is Wei-Wei Gao of Alta Vista with 76 while at third is Jets Sajulga of Del Monte with 80 strokes.

For the girls’ division, Rainstar Roque of Del Monte holds a one-stroke lead over Lois Kaye Go of Cebu Country Club, 77-78.

In the class D (9-10) boys’ category Navy’s Ira Christian Alido leads the cast with 74 strokes. He is followed by Alta Vista’s Wei Yu Gao with 77 and Ateneo-JGFP’s Aidric Chan with 79.

For the girls’ class, Navy’s Jona Angela Magcalayo and Kayla Nocum hold the top two spots with scores of 84 and 87, respectively.

In the nine-hole contest for class E, Tatsuyoshi Ochiai and Joaquin Velez of Cebu Country Club are tied for the lead with 44. At solo third is Alta Vista’s Matt Ian Bucao with 63.

For the girls’ class of this group for ages 6 to 8, Wei Fang Gao of Alta Vista leads with 45 followed by teammate Alyssa Bejar with 58.

The final round of the tournament takes place today. (FREEMAN)