Saragoza dislodges Bibat with second 72

LIPA, Batangas - Boyet Saragoza bucked a double-bogey mishap on No. 6 and went on to salvage an even par 72 and snatch a one-stroke lead over first round leader Michael Bibat halfway through the Samsung Amateur Golf Tour grand finals at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

The 33-year-old Saragoza, one down at the start of the day, birdied No. 3 to draw level in a two-shot swing as Bibat fumbled with a bogey. But Saragoza failed to sustain that momentum and reeled back after dropping two shots on No. 6 although he fought back with three birdies against two more bogeys to save a round of 36-36 at the water-laced Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed layout.

That was Saragoza’s second straight 72 as the Cangolf mainstay surged ahead with a 144, one shot ahead of Bibat, who failed to recover from a 38 start and wound up with a 36 for a 74 and a 145.

Jungolfer Tonton Asistio actually dished out the finest start among the five championship division finalists, going two-under after nine holes to gain a share of the lead with Saragoza. But he bogeyed No. 11, dropped two strokes on No. 15 on a double-bogey miscue before losing another stroke on No. 17 for a closing 40 and a second straight 74. That sent Asistio trailing Sarogaza by four strokes heading into the final 36 holes of this event sponsored by Samsung and backed by Philippine Airlines as the official carrier, Tokyo Tokyo, KZG, Microtel, Coppertone Sport, Sunbolt, Rudy Project, C-Lium Fiber and Sports Plus. Media partners are Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, 89.9, 99.5 RT, 103.5 K-Lite and Killer Bee.

SportsPlus Channel will air the highlights of the event in a special telecast to be announced soon.

Meanwhile, 35 other qualifiers clash in a 36-hole duel in various handicap divisions for men and ladies beginning today.

Erwin Vinluan, a Nomura Cup veteran, shot a one-over par 73 but remained six strokes adrift with a 150 while Jong Laput skied to an 82 and virtually bowed out of contention with a 158.