Huerva wavers but nears Q-School top honors

MANILA, Philippines - Joey Huerva broke away from a tie with Arnold Villacencio despite a shaky windup, carding an even par 72 and moving 18 holes away from clinching the low medal honors in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at Eagle Ridge’s Norman course in Gen. Trias, Cavite yesterday.

Huerva, tied with Villacencio at the halfway mark of the 72-hole elims, surged ahead with a 36 at the turn but bogeyed two of the last seven holes that negated his back-to-back birdies from No. 10.

With a 36-36 card, Huerva pooled a two-under 214 and took a two-stroke lead over Villacencio, who birdied the opening hole but fumbled with two bogeys for a 37. He also birdied Nos. 10 and 11 but dropped two strokes on the par-3 No. 14 and bogeyed the 17th for a 74 and a 216.

Rico Depilo fired one of the day’s two best scores of 70 while Albin Engino and Jun Rates shot identical 74s as they firmed up their bids for the coveted Tour cards for next year’s ICTSI PGT season with 219s.

Paul Echavez and Cookie La’O also moved closer to formalizing their claim on two of the 40 spots being disputed at 220s after a 70 and 73, respectively, while Ramil Bisera matched par 72 for solo eighth at 221.

Rene Menor shot a 73 for a 222, the same output put in by amateur Keanu Jahns, who slowed down with a 76 while Miguel Ochoa turned in a 74 for a 224 to move to No. 11 with one round left in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and sponsored by ICTSI.

The battle for the last berth is expected to be fierce with Artemio Murakami hanging on at joint 37th at 236 after a 78 in a tie with Israel Bisera (73), Jet Mathay (76), Joeleo Torrecampo (77) and Fredo Casiao (78).

Four players – amateur Francis Morilla (77), Allan Remata (77), Joseph Suarez (78) and Jordan Mamaril (84) stood just a shot behind at 237 while four lay two strokes farther back at 238, making the fight for the last berths among the top 40 wide open.

Carito Villaroman made a 77 and stood in solo 36th at 235, hoping to further improve in today’s final round to earn his card for next season’s richer, bigger tour.