Salvador, Balasabas seize 1-shot lead

Elmer Salvador shot a gusty two-under par 70 under tough playing condition as he gained a share of the lead with amateur Jerson Balasabas in the penultimate round of the ICTSI Valley Challenge at Valley Golf Club’s south course in Antipolo yesterday.

Salvador, the former national caddies champion, bolstered his bid for a breakthrough victory as a pro with a 36-hole aggregate of 142, the same output put in by the in-form Balasabas who matched par 72 in the afternoon over a rain-drenched layout that played almost twice its length.

But a host of others stood within striking distance, ensuring a wild chase for the championship in the final round today of the 54-hole tournament, the kickoff leg of the five-stage revival of the pro tour.

Jerome Delariarte, taking a break from the Asian Tour, birdied the last two holes for the day’s best score of three-under-par 69 that tied him with Al Cruz, carding a 71, at 143.

Two shots farther back at 145 were the fivesome of Rey Pagunsan, Michael Bibat, Randy Garalde, Demetrio Sanchez and amateur Rufino Bayron.

Orlan Sumcad, the opening round leader, skied to a 78 and was in an eight-player logjam at 146. Also in that group were Cassius Casas, Danny Zarate, former Philippine Open winner Robert Pactolerin, Ramil Bisera, Gene Bondoc, Christopher delos Santos and amateur Jhonel Ababa.

Sumcad fumbled with four bogeys and a double-bogey on the 14th with only a birdie to show for that 78.

Still, he remained in the hunt for the top P164,000 purse in the tournament sponsored by International Container and Terminal Services, Inc.

But focus will be on Balasabas, priming up for the World Amateurs in Adelaide, Australia next month, who could spoil the pros’ bid with a solid round today.

“Malalayo ang mga birdie putts ko, hindi ko naididikit ang mga bakal ko (Most of my birdie putts were quite far today, I wasn’t able to get my approaches close enough),” said Balasabas who will try to become the first amateur to win a pro event in almost two decades.

Casas, who had a wild round of eight bogeys and five birdies, won the National PGA championship at Luisita as an amateur in the early 1990s.

Salvador came close to winning his first pro title in The Country Club Invitational two years ago but Angelo Que, one of stars absent in the tournament, beat him for the crown.