2 share lead in Meralco nat’l doubles

MANILA, Philippines - AR Ramos and Miggy Yee came charging home to fire a three-under 69 and force a tie with former national champion Rupert Zaragosa and JP De Claro at the start of the Meralco National Doubles Amateur (Closed) Championship at Wack Wack’s West Course yesterday.

Ramos and Yee hit four birdies at the back, including three straight from No. 13, against two bogeys as they closed out with a 34 to catch the Zaragosa-De Claro tandem at the helm after the two-ball (foursome) format.

Zaragosa and De Claro took charge early with an eagle-spiked 33 but settled for a 36 at the back, enabling Ramos and Yee to gain a piece of the lead in the event sponsored by Meralco and  organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines.

National mainstay Jobim Carlos, winner of this event with Raymond Gonzales last year, stayed right behind with a 71, teaming up with new partner Jonar Austria in the alternate shot format to trail by two in the three-day ranking tournament serving as the final leg of the Globe Business Amateur Circuit.

John Kier Abdon and Chris Jordan carded a 74 marred by a 38 start and stood five shots off the leaders heading to today’s second round where play shifts to four-ball (best ball) with the final round to be played under the aggregate format.

Justin Quiban and RJ Talud recovered from a poor start of 40 with a 36 to salvage a 76 and tie top jungolfer Gabriel Manotoc and Gonzales at fifth while Lawrence Celestino and partner Kenneth Kano struggled with a 79.