Aniceto Mandanas clung on to a one-shot lead over Jets Sajulga even as Harmie Constantino built a big 10-shot lead in the second round of the NGAP Northern Luzon regional golf championships yesterday at the Beverly Place Golf Club in Pampanga.
Mandanas rallied with a birdie and an eagle in the backnine to turn in a 70 and a two-round total of 142.
Sajulga, three shots behind Mandanas before the start of the round, sizzled with a 68 to move within a shot off the lead.
Oh Sang Jin made it a three-horse race following a tournament best 66 for 144.
The 54-hole championship, sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart, PLDT and MPIC, ends today.
Aidric Chan slipped to fourth with a 72 but still remained in the hunt at 146 while Richnell Albano faltered with a 75 and 149 overall.
Top favorite Rupert Zaragosa struggled in the last nine holes and bowed out of contention at 151 in a tie with Jolo Magcalayo who carded a 75.
Gab Manotoc turned in a 72 for a 154 in joint eighth with Ha Tae Won and Seung Hyeon Back, who both shot 76s.
Constantino, meanwhile, strung up 37 and 38 for a 147 and doubled her opening round lead over Korean Shin Seo Yun, who skied to an 80 for a 157, as she moved 18 holes away from nailing another victory in the event organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and serving as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour.
Nicole Abelar made a 79 while Kristine Torralba fumbled with an 80 as they shared third place at 160 with Ashia Nocum at fourth at 164 after an 81.
Sam Dizon also virtually notched the Ladies Handicap Division-Open crown with a 78 for a 157, nine strokes ahead of Cielo Fregil, who had a 166 after an 81, while Korean Kwon Tae Yon pooled a 192 after a 93.
In the men’s Division Group I, Alan Alegre shot a 79 to force a three-way tie for the lead at 159 with Francis Telan and August Cruz, who carded 80 and 82, respectively.
