Quiban’s 41 lifts S’woods to 4-pt edge

MANILA, Philippines - Justin Quiban sizzled with a five-under 64 in stroke play worth 41 points as Manila Southwoods assembled a 144 to wrest a four-point lead over San Miguel and Northwoods at the start of the Fil Championship of the 65th San Miguel Fil-Am Invitational golf tournament at Camp John Hay in Baguio yesterday.

Quiban, a veteran of the Asia Pacific Amateur, scorched the up-and-down par-69 layout with seven birdies, including three straight from No. 2, and on Nos. 8, 12, 16 and 17. He, however, stumbled with double bogey for a pick-up on No. 5.

With Yuto Katsugarawa, Tonton Asistio and Chepe Dulay backing him up with 37, 35 and 31, respectively, the former five-time champion Southwoods took charge of the field in the centerpiece event of the annual event.

San Miguel Corp. debuted with a 140 and tied Northwoods at second but defending champion Mizuno struggled all day and hobbled with a 124.

Former pro Eddie Bagtas shot 37 points to lead San Miguel’s charge with jungolfers Aira Alido and Lanz Uy chipping in identical 35s and JP De Claro adding a 33.

Richard Santiano fired a two-under 67 worth 38 points while Richard Joson came through with a 37 as Northwoods put itself in early contention. Raymart Tolentino scored a 33 while either the 32 from Carlo Villaroman and jungolfer Philippe Palanca counted in the five-to-play, four-to-count format event.

Reigning national junior champion Rupert Zaragoza also put in a solid four-under 65 worth 40 points as AAV Ventureslink pooled a 136 for fourth. Zaragoza had five birdies against a lone bogey for the tournament’s second best score while Raymund Gonzales Jr. tossed in 36 points.

Valley Golf stood a point farther back at 135 with Rocky Co shooting a 68 for 37 points, while Che’lus, which lost the crown to Mizuno in 2011, shot a 134.

Over at the Baguio Country Club, Gary Sales opened with a 32 as Batangas Barakos tallied a 108 to race to a five-point lead in the Am Championship.

Ricky delos Santos scored a 26, while Gerald Katigbak and Jun Arceo posted identical 25s for the Barakos.

Summit Point drew 26s from Lino Magpantay, Lisandro Opulencia and Raul Montealto for 103 while Batch 92 got 32 points from Jojo Enrile and turned in a 100.

Mike Singgaran, meanwhile, shot 33 points, Angelita Pineda had a 32, Teddy Quizon made a 31 and Emiliano Mendoza added a 26 as JA Global Statistics shot a 122 to gain a two-shot lead in Fil A.