Zaragosa pulls away by three

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa broke out of a tie with Fil-Am Jonathan Delos Reyes with a sizzling backside charge, shooting an eagle-spiked three-under 69 and surging to a three-stroke lead over Rico Hoey halfway through the Philippine Amateur Closed Championship at Sherwood Hills in Cavite yesterday.

Zaragosa went on a birdie-birdie-eagle binge from No. 13 to pull away from the pack, his 69 giving him a 36-hole aggregate of 140 and a three-shot lead over an ailing Hoey, who took over the challenger’s role with a 143 after a 71 as Delos Reyes struggled to a 77 after a 71 for a 148.

Jobim Carlos, meanwhile, made his move with a two-under 70 to tie Delos Reyes but stood eight shots off Zaragosa heading to the weekend play of the 72-hole championship presented by MVP Sports Foundation and backed by Pancake House, Nike, Golf Depot and Pacsports.

“Nothing is certain,” said Zaragosa, when asked of his chances. “There are a lot of talented players chasing me. I will just try to play my game for the next two rounds and see what happens.”

Lloyd Jefferson Go, the Cebu Country Club standout in the PAL Interclub, carded a 73 to join Carlos and Delos Reyes at 148 while Justin Quiban and Andres Saldana stood another stroke back at 149 after a 74 and 76, respectively.

Regina De Guzman, the spearhead of the women’s Putra Cup squad, fired a one-under 71 to tie Bianca Pagdanganan, who faltered with a 75, at the helm at 149.

Chanelle Avaricio improved to a 74 after a 76 and trailed the joint leaders by one at 150 while Team ICTSI’s Sofia Chabon limped home with a 76 for a 151, dropping to joint fourth with a surging Simone Hoey, who matched par 72, just two shots behind.

Pauline del Rosario made a 77 and fell behind by four at 153 while Bernice Ilas stood at 156 after a 79.