Host Valley takes charge for solo lead

ANTIPOLO – Host Valley Golf fired a 212 to seize the solo lead in the team event even as Negros Occidental’s Jose Isedeno carded a 67 yesterday to share the limelight in the second day of the 15th Uratex National Caddies Championship here.

Flashing their familiarity with the short but challenging 5,396-yard Executive course, Jomar Pepito shot a 68 and Alvin Mejares turned in a 70 to power Valley to the top with a 36-hole aggregate of 435, three shots ahead of Bacolod.

Antonio Locanas closed out with a four-under par 74 to cap the day for the Valley golfers, who last won this annual event 12 years ago. Their fourth man, Santos Estrera, limped with a second 77 and didn’t count.

Bacolod, for its part, leaned on a 69 by Efren Robles to pool a 438 and remain in the hunt for the crown in this P2-million event exclusively for the country’s bagtoters and held in memory of the late Robert Go Cheng. Cheng who passed away last year, founded the tournament in 1988 through his RGC Group of Companies.

Opening day leader Julius Susarno failed to sustain his opening day 70 and settled for a 73, the same output put in by teammate Amado Eso to anchor Bacolod’s bid.

But the day belonged to the 47-year-old Isedeno.

A day after struggling with a three-over 73, Isedeno, playing out of Marapara Golf and Country Club, came out smoking with a fiery 31 behind a four-birdie, bogey-less stint in the frontside.

He, however, slowed down a bit at the back with a bogey on the 10th but kept his composure the rest of the way to finish with that three-under card and seize control in the individual race with an even-par 140.

"Medyo maganda lang ang putting natin at nagkatugma-tugma na rin ‘yung palo," said Isedeno. "Sana magtuloy-tuloy na ito."

Two shots behind was Mejares, who faltered in the final two holes and settled with a two-over par 142.

Playing for Valley for the 10th time, the 32-year-old Mejares appeared headed to crowd Isedeno for the lead and boost his team’s bid going into the last two days with a three-under card after 16 holes.

But he fumbled and stumbled and Mejares, who finished seventh in the individual race last year, dropped a stroke on the 17th and then lost two more in the final hole for that 70 and a 142.

"Sayang, mas maganda sana ang score ko ngayon kung hindi ako masyadong naging maingat nung last two holes," he said.

Opening day co-leader Iloilo slid to third spot with a 439 despite drawing a 68 from Junie Visinica, while Isedeno’s Negros Occidental stood at fourth with a 440. Apo, Iloilo’s first day co-leader, slipped to fifth spot with a 442.

In women’s play, Susana Delfino of Kagitingan Golf Club shot a 78 to lead Nerrisa Ogares of Manila Southwoods with 83.

Also in contention in the three-day side event were Gladys Briones of Eastridge (85), Mercy Elias of Sta. Elena (85), Teresa Carpio of Canlubang (86), Ana Forlaje (88) and Miriam Forlaje (88) of Manila Southwoods, Jean Galang of Intramuros (89), Wendy Sator of Eastridge (90) and Babylyn Lobrin of Forest Hills (91).