Sotto steps up bid for 5th title in row, up by 1

Now with the longest winning streak, Paulina Sotto started her drive for a fifth consecutive victory with an 86 that put her a stroke ahead in girls’ Class C in the opening round Tuesday of the Samsung Philippine Jungolf Tour at the Riviera Golf and Country Club.

The daughter of television host and comedian Vic edged ahead of Regina de Guzman in her bid to close out her summer campaign in style after racking up four victories in a row in the series also supported by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Philippine Airlines as major sponsors.

IG Gutierrez and Gino Bunyi shared the lead in boys Class A while Carlos Tinio III threatened the dominance of Wolen Superal in boys Class C by tying him for the top spot as tight battles erupted in most of the age-group categories.

Gutierrez and Bunyi, who lost in a playoff to the absent Terence Macatangay in the Orchard leg, both fired 76s to go up by one over Aaron Dimabuyu while Tinio’s 80 matched the effort of Superal who remains unbeaten in five starts.

Also leading their respective divisions in the tourney also sponsored by the Inquirer Golf Monthly, GG&A Club Shares, Unilever and Gonads were Katrina Gonzales, John Kier Abdon, Crystal Superal, JR Gonzales, Annika Martinez, AR Ramos, Princess Superal, Rupert Zaragosa and Janella Buen.

Gonzales’ 89 pushed him far ahead of Erika Salinas (110) in girls Class A; Abdon moved up by one over Joey Huerva in boys Class B; Crystal (77) took a 13-shot lead over a fever-stricken Debbie de Villa in girls Class B; JR Gonzales was up by 12 over Tonton Arevalo while Princess, also eyeing his fifth straight win but had missed several legs like his brother, held a 19-stroke margin on Dana Gonzales.