Olives wrests 2-shot Phl Seniors golf lead

Manila, Philippines -  Tony Olives turned in a second straight 79 in another tough day at Camp Aguinaldo and grabbed a two-stroke lead over former national titlist Francis Gaston and Valley champion Bong Vilchez in the second round of the NGAP-Globe Business Philippine Senior Amateur Championship yesterday.

Olives, one down behind Mari Hechanova at the start of the day, parred the first three holes to seize control and remained on top despite a 41 before holding off a rallying Gaston with a 38 for a 79 and a 158.

Gaston, who struggled with an 85 in the opener of the 54-hole tournament serving as part of the NGAP Globe Business Amateur circuit, fought back with a two-over 35 at the backside of the par-68 layout for the day’s best 75 as he jumped from out of nowhere to second place at 160.

That was the same output put in by Vilchez, who strung up rounds of 40 and 38 for a 78 as the former Valley Golf Club champion put himself in contention for the Open crown for the first time since turning in a best ninth place effort two years ago.

“It’s a tough course. I think a five-over card tomorrow (today) would be enough (to win it),” said Vilchez.

Danilo Morales made an 82 for solo fourth at 162.

Hechanova failed to sustain his first round charge of 78 and fumbled with a 85 as he dropped to joint fifth with Dave Hernandez (77) and Pili Sison (79) at 163, five shots off the pace.

Bing Bunye, who matched Olives’ 79 in the first round, ballooned to an 85 and slipped to 164 in a tie with Herminio Maravilla, who rebounded with a 79.

Meanwhile, Ricky Velasco shot an 80 and broke away from a tie with Mandred Guangko in the Mid-Amateur division of the tournament backed by Pancake House, Titleist and Golf Depot and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Velasco pieced nines of 41-39 for that 79 and a 36-hole aggregate of 156, three shots ahead of Guangko, who wavered with 83 for a 159 while Inigo Bilbao stood at 167 after an 82.