Avena leads by 10 over Viray

MANILA, Philippines - Abe Avena matched par 72 and virtually wrapped up the Philippine Senior Amateur Championship crown with a huge 10-stroke lead over Rolly Viray in the second round of the Philippine Senior Amateur Championships at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas yesterday.

Avena, a five-time club champion at Mt. Malarayat, continued to flash his familiarity with composite courses as he strung up nines of 35 and 37 to assemble a 36-hole total of 142, 10 strokes ahead of former champion Viray of Canlubang, who turned in a 73 for a 152.

Ramontito Garcia, playing out of Cebu Country Club, skied to an 81 and fell 13 shots at 155 while Dave Hernandez, another former winner of this event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils., improved to a 76 after an opening 80 for joint fourth with Francis Gaston in the 54-hole tournament presented by the MVP Sports Foundation.

Former Asia-Pacific champion and many-time seniors champion Iggy Clavecilla had an 87 for a 163 and fell 21 strokes off the pace.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia scored a second straight 82 and also bowed out of the title race together with Mari Hechanova of Canlubang, who followed up a first round 78 with an 81 for a 159.

A native of San Juan town in Batangas, Avena, who also won two club championships while a member of Manila Southwoods in the late 1990s, is seeking his first national crown in the event backed by the PSC, Pancake House, Club Car and Pacsports.

Chang Young-hi slowed down with a 73 for a 145 and saw his overnight six-stroke lead reduced to four by a charging Norman dela Peña in the Mid-Am division.

Dela Peña fired a 71 for 149 while Ivan Ferreras and Manfred Guangko stood way behind at 157s after carding 76 and 79, respectively.