Tabuena paces Malaysian Junior Open

MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Tabuena primed up for the Putra Cup as he grabbed the overall lead in the boys’ division with a two-under 70 while Sarah Ababa carded a 75 to pace the girls’ side of the Malaysian Junior Open in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia late Friday.

Tabuena, tapped to play for the RP team competing in the Putra Cup in Kuala Lumpur late this month, strung up nines of 34-36 to post a three-shot lead over reigning Philippine champion Clyde Mondilla at the start of the 54-hole tournament for players 12-18 years old.

Mondilla, who humbled the cream of the amateur crop to win the national title early in the year, failed to earn a slot in the Putra Cup-bound RP squad due to poor finishes in his last tournaments, enabling Tabuena to join Mhark Fernando, Jhonnel Ababa and Jerson Balasabas in the team.

The Del Monte bet stood just one shot behind Tabuena at the turn but wavered at the backside of the wind-raked Nexus Golf Resort Karambunai and limped home with a 38 for a 73.

Local bets Paul San and Emilio Rosidin made identical 74s for third while Chan Tuck Soon, also of Malaysia stood a shot farther back at 75 followed by Bino dela Paz (76) and Kenneth Kano (76).

Ababa, meanwhile, fumbled with three bogeys at the back of the tight, hazard-laden layout, finishing with a 38-37 for a one-shot lead over Vivienne Chen of Malaysia.

But while Ababa hobbled on her homeward trip, Chen rallied with a 36 to salvage a 76 while two other Malaysians, Nurdurriyah Damian and Kelly Tan, stood within striking distance at 79.