The 16-year-old Asistio, perhaps the best jungolfer in the land today, strung up nines of 34-34 at the par-70 layout, highlighting his round with six birdies that more than made up for his out-of-bounds drive on No. 1 and a bogey on No. 8.
Asistio salvaged a bogey on the opening hole and went on to hit superb approach shots that set up birdie chances in three of the next four holes. He fumbled with another missed-green bogey on No. 8 but held sway to show up Pagunsan by one stroke.
Pagunsan, never a winner here, failed to sustain a birdie-birdie start, dropping two strokes on the par-4 fourth before sinking another birdie putt on the next hole on a solid sand wedge shot inside three feet.
But putting woes continued to hound Pagunsan as he settled for pars in the next 13 holes for a 69.
"Kung gumana lang ang putting, baka 64 o 63 ang iskor," said Pagunsan, who also groped for his putting touch in last week’s Nomura Cup in Japan. "Ang ganda ng palo. Solid lahat at malapit sa mga butas. Wala lang talagang buenas pagdating sa putting."
Artemio Murakami, the 1999 winner at age 15, submitted a 70 (36-34) and was alone in third spot, one stroke up on defending champion Jun Bernis (36-35) and five others who signed for 73s.
Bernis, who turned back Murakami last year, 5 and 3 at Villamor, had two bogeys and one double against only three birdies, a start which he said he is satisfied with.
Veteran Carmelette Villaroman (37-35) and Anya Tanpinco (36-36) tied for first after 72s as the event, backed by ICTSI, San Miguel Corp., Hanjin, Aboitiz Group, the Department of Tourism, Philippine Airlines and Petron Blaze staged a women’s division for the first time since the National Golf Association of the Philippines inaugurated the event in 1961.
Mia Piccio, a chubby 13-year-old native of this province, churned out a 74 (37-37) for third spot, a stroke better than Frances Bondad (38-37) in fourth and four up on joint fifth placers Lina de Guzman (39-39) and Tracy Locsin (39-39).
Play shifts to match tomorrow after the final 18 holes of classification today, where the top three players in the men’s division will get automatic exemptions to play in the Philippine Open next year.
Only the top 32 players in the men’s division will advance, while all 11 who signed up in the ladies’ side will advance, the ranking in their division after today critical since the top five placers will earn first round byes.
Gene Bondoc, Louie Dacudao, Jett Plete, Malaysian Siva Chandran and caddies program standout Mario Labajo were the others in Bernis’ group even as Jay Bayron, Ferdinand Aunzo and Joseph Labajo shared 10th spot after 72s.