Carlos, pal sizzle with 64, grab one-stroke lead

MANILA, Philippines - Jobim Carlos and Raymundo Gonzales put in a solid four-under 64 in the four balls and stormed past first day leaders Gino Bunyi and Marvin Mendoza in the second round of the first NGAP National Doubles Amateur Championships at the AFP Golf Club yesterday.

Carlos and Gonzales frolicked in the best-ball format and finished with a bogey-free card that included birdies on the first and last holes, giving them a 138 aggregate and a one-stroke lead over the Bunyi-Mendoza and Lawrence Celestino-Joey Huerva pairs.

Bunyi and Mendoza, who showed up the field with a 72 in the foursomes Monday, wavered coming home with two bogeys in the last three holes as they yielded the lead with a 67 for a 139.

The Celestino-Huerva tandem matched that output after an impressive, bogey-less 65 built around three birdies, setting up a three-way showdown for the crown in the event presented by Globe, AirPhil Express and Pancake House.

The final round will be played under the combined aggregate format, making it an anybody’s race in the tournament conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and backed by Golf Depot, Callaway, Odyssey, Pacsports, Autohub, Empire Golf, Dynamic Sports and Titleist, the official ball.

Ricky delos Santos and Ricky Velasco, one shot behind in the first round, carded a one-over 69 and slid to solo fourth at 142 while Eric Gallardo and JP De Claro pooled a 143 after a 69.

Aristeo Mata and Agustin Mata matched par 68 for a share of sixth with the Gabriel Manotoc-Art Arbole pair, which shot a 67, at 144 while reigning national champion and junior titlist Rupert Zaragosa and partner Justin Quiban failed to gain headway with a 69 for joint eighth with Jan Tambogon and Rudy Amata, who had a 70, at 146.

Lans Uy and Paolo Uy also surged ahead in Group II after matching par 68 for a 36-hole haul of 143, five shots ahead of erstwhile leaders Larry Patnongon and Joey Solis, who turned in a second straight 74 for a 148.

Kevin Saclot and Kristoffer Arevalo rebounded with a 71 after an 83 but remained too far behind at 154 while Richard Tan and Lino Magpantay stood at 159 after a 75 in a tie with the Adrian Romero-Raymart Tolentino tandem, which had a 72.

Samantha Martirez and Chanelle Avaricio, on the other hand, kept their three-shot lead intact in the ladies division as they combined for a 75 for a 152. Bianca Pagdanganan and Pauline del Rosario also shot a 75 for a 155 while Daniella Uy and Marvi Monsalve improved with a 76 but remained 10 shots off at 162.