Fernando, Ababa pace Cangolf Am

MANILA, Philippines - Calatagan bets Jhonnel Ababa and Mhark Fernando both rallied at the backside to shoot identical even par 72s and open a two-shot lead over Antonio Asistio II and two others at the start of the 10th Canlubang Amateur Open at Cangolf’s south course yesterday.

Ababa battled back from a four-over card with an eagle-birdie-birdie run from No. 11 to salvage a 39-33 round while Fernando, the reigning national champion and winner of a pro leg on the ICTSI-RP golf circuit, recovered with three birdies in the last nine holes to likewise turn in a 39-33 card.

The Calatagan teammates thus took a two-stroke lead over the defending champion Asistio, who looked headed for a solid outing with an opening 36 only to falter with a 38 for a 74. He was joined in later by ICTSI teammate and former Hong Kong Amateur Open champion Dante Becierra (37-37) and another Calatagan bet Alvin Engino (36-38).

Zunieboy Gialon, also of the ICTSI golf squad, and Villamor’s Mariano Reanturco stood a shot behind at 75 while fancied Rufino Bayron struggled with a 37-39 round for a 76, four shots behind the joint leaders heading to the final 36 holes of the annual event hosted by Cangolf.

Riviera’s Wang Jeung Hun and ICTSI’s Jan Tambogon shot identical 77s while Calatagan’s Jessie Balasabas and Paul Echavez both had 78s.  

Meanwhile, the chase for top honors in Classes A (11 below), B (12-20) and C (21 and above) starts today.

Also on tap is the ladies competition featuring Chihiro Ikeda, winner of the recent Hong Kong Am Ladies Open, and ICTSI teammates Anya Tanpinco, Sarah Ababa and Louise Manalo.

Ababa, who saw action for the RP team in the recent Nomura Cup, dropped two strokes in the first two holes and closed out his frontside stint with another bogey on No. 8 before losing another stroke on No. 10.