Bold Villacencio gamble leads to 3-shot edge

BACOLOD, Philippines – Arnold Villacencio took a gamble on No. 4 and made an eagle, matching his opening four-under 66 and wresting a three-stroke lead over Michael Bibat and Tony Lascuña midway through the P1 million Negros Occidental Classic at the Marapara layout here.

Failing to gain a birdie in the first round Wednesday, Villacencio took the risk again yesterday, cutting the dog-leg right 345-yard par-4 No. 6 with a monster drive that sailed over the trees then buried a 60-degree wedge shot from 50 yards for eagle.

That highlighted another 32-34 card for the unflappable Villacencio, who hit three more birdies against a missed-green bogey on No. 3 and moved 36 holes away from snapping a long title drought on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour with an eight-under 132 at the tough par-70 course.

“I hit the trees in the first round and settled for par but I knew I can cut it, so I tried again. I just got lucky,” said the Fernando Air Base Golf Club bet, who had actually led a number of tournaments but blew them with final round fold-ups to remain winless in six years.

Bibat, meanwhile, pressed his bid for a second career victory after scoring a breakthrough win at Rancho Palos last year in Davao by matching Villacencio’s 66, joining the fancied Lascuña at second at 135.

The former Asian Games bronze medalist birdied the first three holes for the second straight day then gunned down three more birdies from 16 feet against a bogey for a 31-35 card.

“I missed a par-putt from four feet on No. 11 but overall my I had a good feel of the greens,” said Bibat. “My target is to get to 10- or 11-under and beat the course.”

Lascuña, seeking a third leg win after dominating the Eagle Ridge and Valley Golf stages of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., fired a bogey-free 68, one shot higher than his opening 67 but well within target.

“Three down is okay and we’ll find out tomorrow (Friday) what’s going to be like in the final round,” said Lascuña, also out to nail a record third straight Order of Merit crown on the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

After a hot 66 and a share of the lead, Elmer Salvador was slowed down by poor putting and settled for an even par 70, dropping to joint fourth at 136 while Jhonnel Ababa shot a 69 for solo fifth at 137.

Zanie Boy Gialon, winner here in 2012, and Fil-Am Carl Santos-Ocampo carded identical 69s to tie Paul Echavez, matching par 70, at 139 while amateur Lloyd Go sizzled with a 67 to join Mhark Fernando, who fired a 68, and Ferdie Aunzo, who hobbled with a 71, at 10th at 140, eight shots behind.

Villacencio birdied Nos. 1 and 4 to negate a bogey mishap on No. 3 then surged ahead with that eagle as Salvador had a roller-coaster round four flights ahead and made the turn at 35.

The reigning back-to-back Aboitiz Invitational winner who also dominated the ICTSI Riviera Classic of the Asian Development Tour last May did bounce back with birdies on Nos. 11 and 14 but reeled back with back-to-back bogeys from No. 16.

“I just have to toughen up and try to endure the pressure,” said Villacencio, who actually muffed a couple of birdie putts inside six feet at back before closing out with a birdie on the par-5 18th for that 66.

Other backers of the event are Nike Golf, Pacsports, Srixon, FootJoy, It’s More Fun in the Philippines, Callaway, Mizuno, Custom Clubmakers, Titleist, Sharp and KZG with Balls, Pinoygolfer.com and ABS-CBN Sports+Action as media partners.