Miñoza’s seven-under card at the scenic Boracay resort gave him a four-stroke lead over Canadian Rick Gibson and local bets Vic Santia, Edwin Sanchez, Elmer Salvador, Benjie Magada and Japanese Tonokazu Yoshinaga, who all had 69s.
Richard Sinfuego, who beat Yoshinaga and Tony Lascuna to win his first pro title in the Camp John Hay Open last Tuesday, got off to slow start as he struggled with a 75 in this event sponsored by Smart Zed.
Robert Pactolerin, one of the best bets here in the absence of defending champion Rodrigo Cuello, who opted to compete in the Singapore Masters, had a 71.
Miñoza, practically matching his brother’s Frankie effort in Singapore, went on a birdie splurge at the back nine of the undulating course as he put in a 31 to set in motion his bid for a first-ever title in this P1 million event. — Kap Maceda Aguila