Rocha, the former national player giving his career a fresh kick after earning his degree from UP, inched ahead of his first round co-leader Marlon Dizon and two others as he ably handled the blustery winds with his nines of 36-36. He was all alone at the top at 141.
Dizon, himself eyeing to get back his share of the amateur limelight after being bugged by an injured back, scored a 73 and was tied at 142 with Cookie La’O (72) and Boracay-based Mark Vijar. Vijar created the loudest noise with the tournament’s best score so far of four-under 68.
Then came the event’s two top guns, back-to-back winner Juvic Pagunsan and national amateur champ Angelo Que.
Que closed in on the lead pack with a 70 that left him just two strokes behind like Pagunsan, who was forced to putt with his driver on his last 13 holes when he broke his putter after slamming it hard on his bag in frustration over a missed putt on No. 5.
In the ladies division, Carmelette Villaroman launched her bid for a third consecutive title with a 72 for a one-stroke lead over jungolf star Jayvie Agojo.
Newly-crowned Philippine Ladies Open titlist Heidi Chua fell six shots behind at 78 while Aileen Rose Yao could only turn in an 82 like Lina de Guzman and Loralie Roberto.
Rocha said that with the wind conditions, he knew an even-par score would be good enough to keep him afloat.
"I feel pretty good because I knew with our lead from the first day, even par would put me around the leaders. It was hard selecting clubs considering the strong winds," said Rocha. "Overall, I’m satisfied since I made no major mistakes."
Rocha made four birdies against the same number of bogeys with his biggest save coming on the seventh, rescuing par from a stymied drive 200 yards out.
Vijar’s familiarity with the windy conditions at the Fairways and Bluewater course helped him get through the gusts in Laguna, highlighting his big round with an eagle from 12 feet off a 2-iron second shot on the par-5 second hole.