2 pairs share lead in Coral Invitational

Two pairs share the lead after two days of action in the 25th Coral Invitational, the signature tournament of Cebu Country Club.

The tandem of Benson Chua and Alfredo Ong, Jr. and that of Lucio Tapnio and Roger Lo both logged aggregate scores of seven-under-par 79 points in the Modified Stableford Scoring System.

The tournament added one more day of competition this year and started last Tuesday. The Coral however remains to be a 36-hole contest where teams composed of a club member and a guest will play two rounds within the five-day period.

Three teams are tied with 76 points apiece. These are the tandems of six-time club champion Ramontito Garcia and former national team member Richie Garcia, Glen Sebastian and Oscar Sanchez, and that of Wayne Congmon and Jude Demiar.

Three other teams are a point further back with 75. These are that of five-time club champion Carl Almario and Jun Plana, Yoshio Yamada and Flor Labitan, and former jungolf champion Jojo Tiongko and Fernando Mondares.

Jonji Chiongbian and Mike Celdran combined for 74 points while three other teams finished their first round at one-under-par with 73 points. Those with 73s were Alex Garcia and Alberto Solis, Alvin Alzas and Rey Dira, and Marlou Velasquez and Rod Señido.

The tournament scoring format awards six points for a double-eagle, five for an ace, four for eagle, three for birdie, two for par, and one for bogey.

The major sponsors of the tournament are San Miguel Corp., UBS, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Smart Communications Inc., and Cebu Mitsumi Inc.

Hole-in-one sponsors are Ford Cebu, Club Car/The Turf Company, Signal Trading Corp., Water Boss, and CICI Gen. Insurance.

Skygo is giving away a motorcycle for an eagle.

Also supporting the event are Darras + Bowler, Bank of Commerce, Chinatrust Bank, Northwest Hardwoods, Olio, Petron Corp./C.A. Gothong Lines, Profood International Corp., Prulife, San Sebastian/Alenter Foods, Sulpicio Lines, JY Square, Multi Turf Equipment Corp., Par Golf, and Cebu Progress Commercial.

The last group of players will play their first round today and a Calcutta is scheduled tonight. The Calcutta is one of the highlights of the Coral Invitational, which is also the first of several member-guest tournaments around the country for the year. (NLQ)