Ardina, Buen hold to lead; JR in 2nd

SAN DIEGO — Dottie Ardina and Janella Buen grimly held on to a share of the lead while lefty JR Gonzales stayed just a shot behind in second place in their respective divisions to keep the Philippines’ bid for a victory alive in the 2004 Callaway Junior World golf championships in various venues here.

The 10-year-old Ardina, chasing her second title here in three years, shot a two-over-par 60 marred by a wet double-bogey on the 18th of the hazard-laden Reidy Creek couse in Escondido that allowed Korean-American Allison Lee to pull even.

Lee actually gained three strokes from Ardina on the last three holes, including a birdie on the 17th for a one-under 58. They ended the day sharing a four-stroke lead on similar 36-hole aggregates of 117.

The five-year-old Buen, a kindergarten pupil at ICA-Greenhills, squandered the five-stroke lead she built in the first round and will need all the toughness in a final round duel with Hawaiian Allison Corpuz.

Buen scoring a 70 for 137, tees off for the last 18 holes tied with Corpuz, who rallied with a 65. Abby Arevalo, the other RP bet who shared second with Corpuz in Round 1, limped home with a 74 and slid to fourth at 146 behind Japanese Yuli Koshino (70-144).

As the two RP leaders grappled with consistency, it became Gonzales’ weapon to stay close to the heavily-favored Ben Doyle in the tight battle for boys 7-8 years division.

Gonzales of St. Benedict School picked up five birdies in a round of three-under-par 55 capped by a crucial par save on the 18th for a 114 aggregate, just one stroke off hometown bet Doyle whose own 55 put him at 115.

Three other members of the team backed by Philippine Airlines, Samsung, Smart Kid, Callaway and Manila Southwoods were in the Top 10 although 14 of the 34 starters missed the cut.

Justin Faustino Dy was still running third in the boys 6 years and under with his 63-125, Allenby Jiro Ramos was in solo sixth in the boys 7-8 at 58-118 and Wolen Superal scored a 62-127 to share fifth spot with 18 holes to go.

Miguel Tabuena redeemed himself by shooting a three-under 56 which could have been better if not for a bogey-bogey finish and one of the spearhead of Team Philippines went up from 35th to 13th in the boys 9-10.

"It’s going to be a big day for us tomorrow and we’re hoping that luck will be on our side," said Luigi Tabuena, president of the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Jungolf chair Amalia "Mommy" Montecillo sent a special message to the kids set to fight it out for the crowns asking them to "deliver a positive news from abroad for the Philippines."