Huerva ties Villacencio at PGT Q-School helm

MANILA, Philippines - Arnold Villacencio bogeyed No. 9 for the second straight day and settled for a 70, enabling Joey Huerva to gain a share of the lead with a three-under 69 halfway through the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course in Gen. Trias, Cavite yesterday.

Villacencio, who shared the first round lead with Albin Engino at 72, bucked the wind in late afternoon play and shot a 34 at the back then went four-under with back-to-back birdies from No. 2 only to reel back with bogeys on Nos. 4 and 9 for a 36-34 card.

Huerva, trying to regain his Tour card after finishing 48th at the close of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour season, birdied four of the last nine holes to turn a one-over par round into one of the day’s two best scores of 69 as he tied Villacencio at 142 heading to the last two rounds of the qualifiers with the top 40 players gaining cards for next year’s bigger, richer PGT circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Jun Rates rebounded with a 70 after a 75 and joined Engino, who carded a 73, at 145 while amateur Keanu Jahns stayed on track of his bid with a 146 after a second straight 73.

Cookie La’O also shot a 73 for a 147 in a tie with Jimmy Bayron, who turned in a 74, while Lawrence Celestino shot the day’s other 69 to move to joint eighth with Erwin Arcillas, who had a 75, at 148.

Ramil Bisera and Rene Menor stood at 149s after a pair of 74s along with Rico Depilo, who stumbled with a 76, while Miguel Ochoa (73), Paul Echavez (75), Dino Villanueva (76) and amateur Magno Arancon (75) all stood at 150

Huerva, one of the young turks in the fold, actually struggled in the early going despite an early morning start, bogeying Nos. 6 and 9 to negate a birdie on the par-5 No. 5. But he regained his touch and rhythm at the back, birdying the par-5 No. 11 and hit three more birdies on Nos. 13, 14 and 17 for a closing 32.

Carito Villaroman hardly improved with a 78 after an 80 and Artemio Murakami sputtered with an 81 after a 77 as the duo shared 39th with Bobby Diocares (75), Gary Tabernilla (76), Anthony Victoria (76) and Fredo Casiao (77) in their spirited battle for the last spot in the elims conducted by the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.