Wack Wack entries stand out

Toti Olandes fired a 72 to wrest a one-shot lead over teammate Ruben dela Rosa as Wack Wack Golf and Country Club threatened to reduce the individual derby into a club affair yesterday in the second round of the 14th Uratex National Caddies golf championship at the executive course of the Valley complex in Antipolo.

Together with his first round effort of 68, Olandes starts today’s third round at 140, just one shot ahead of De la Rosa, who tamed the par 70, 5,396-yard course with a 68.

With Joey Gabay contributing a 79, the Wack Wack team has 219 to go with their earlier 218 for 437, catching first day team leader Apo Golf and Country Club at the top.

Wack Wack is seeking its second straight team crown and its fourth since 1997.

Apo, which shot 211 Tuesday, struggled with 226 on Alejandro Saban Jr.’s 73, the 76 of Elmer Saban and the 77 of either Glimada or Antonio Depelo to settle for a share of first place.

Che Che Burlas of Mactan came up with an 86 to take a two-stroke lead at the start of the 54-hole individual event in the women’s division where 68 players from 17 clubs are competing.

Mount Malindang made 217 to go with an earlier 224 to move up to third place in the team event at 441, followed by Negros Occidental 215-442, Lumbia 221-450 and Capitol Hills 226-452.

Jocel Pagunsan of Bacolod secured second place with an 88, while Manila Southwoods’ Merly Paladen remained in contention for the P20,000 first prize after shooting a 90.

Alabang Country Club’s Alma Evangelista, Nemie Castor of Canlubang Golf fired 91s to share fourth place while teammate Teresa Carpio is in sixth spot with a 94.

Philippine Navy’s Pedro Elardo also tamed the course with a 69 to move into contention in the men’s individual event at 142 while Mount Malindang’s Ronnie Sarigumba is a shot further back after a 70.

"This is turning out to be a cliffhanger," said Col. Abe Villanueva, co-chairman of the organizing committee. "Many teams have a shot at the championship."

Nueva Ecija’s Zaldy Arinque came up also with a 69 and Negros Occidental’s Rodrigo Marabe shot a one over par 71 to share the next slot at 144.

Ranel Glimada of Apo, whose 68 tied him for first place with Olandes in the individual event, struggled with a 77 and also went down with a 36-hole total of 145.

Uratex top official Robert Cheng is staging the tournament in coordination with the First Gentleman Foundation Inc. headed by Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo.

Cheng started the event 15 years ago to provide local caddies their own national tournament, help them financially and discover talent along the way.