Fernando tops SEAG elims; Bayron regains RP berth

MANILA, Philippines - Mhark Fernando closed out with another sterling round of three-under 68 to dominate the SEA Games qualifier while Rufino Bayron regained his spot in the national team by edging ICTSI teammate Peter Villaber for the last berth at Riviera’s Langer course yesterday.

Fernando, who took control of the nine-player field with a solid 67 in the third round, wound up with a five-under 279, six strokes ahead of Calatagan teammate Jhonnel Ababa, who rallied with a one-under 70 to beat Antonio Asistio II for the No. 2 spot. Ababa wound up with a 285.

Asistio, who led in the first two rounds of the 72-hole elims conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils. to select the members of the RP team competing in the SEA Games in Laos in December, sputtered with a two-over 73 and settled for third with a 286.

Bayron, who missed the RP squad that saw action in the recent Nomura Cup, also turned in a 73 but it proved enough to beat Villaber by one stroke for the fourth and last spot in the squad. He finished with a 288.

Villaber faltered with a 74 and wound up with a 289 while US-based Judson Eustaquio matched par 71 and finished with a 292 for sixth.

Albin Engino came in seventh with a 297 after a 71 while Dino Villanueva and Dante Becierra had a pair of 301s after a 71 and 74, respectively.

 Meanwhile, Dave Hernandez, Mari Hechanova and Bing Bunye took the three spots in RP team competing in the Asia-Pacific Golf Championship as they topped their separate 54-hole elims that ended Thursday.

Hernandez finished with a 226 after a 78 while Hechanova had an 83 for a 237. Bunye rallied with an 81 and edged erstwhile third-running Pepot Iñigo for the last spot with a 245. Iñigo limped with an 87 and wound up with a 246.