It was indeed a sorry windup for Clavecilla, who had looked forward to a big finish after he eagled the par-4 15th that somehow checked an atrocious round that included eight bogeys and a double bogey against a lone birdie. He had a 41-37.
Gaston, who with Clavecilla and five others powered the Philippines to its first-ever Asia-Pacific Men’s Seniors golf crown in China last year, fumbled with a 42 at the front but steadied at the backside with a one-birdie, one-bogey stint for a 36 and a 78.
With defending champion Rolly Viray and Philippine sports commissioner Richie Garcia struggling, home club bet Joe Lao took the third spot with an 80 while Danilo Pizarro flashed his familiarity with the course he calls home and shot an 82 for fourth place in the centerpiece Open division.
Viray, who won last year’s edition at Mt. Malarayat, groped for form and limped with an 84 in a tie with Garcia as they stood one stroke behind Seve Roxas Chua, who had an 82.
Caloy Coscolluela, also a member of that champion RP squad, also struggled with an 86, needing to bounce back in the final two rounds of this 54-hole tournament presented by Harbour Centre and backed by Mizuno, Nestea and Summit mineral water.
Former PSC commissioner Freddie Mendoza carded 42-43 for an 85 as he shared ninth place with Yuichiro Nakanishi (41-44), Vic Onella (41-44) and Edwin Arcilla (44-41) in the event conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils. and which also offers berths in the national squad defending the As-Pac crown in November.
Earlier, former President Fidel V. Ramos, Harbour Centre chairman Reghis Romero, NGAP president Sec. Leandro Mendoza, NGAP honorary chairman Rod Feliciano and NGAP vice president Pizarro hit the ceremonial drive to kick off the event exclusively for the country’s golfing elders.