Ababa leads by three in Samsung Am leg

SAN MIGUEL, Bukidnon — Jonel Ababa threatened to pull away from the pack with a solid three-under par 69 yesterday, posting a three-stroke lead after three rounds of play in the fifth leg of the Samsung Amateur Tour at the Del Monte Golf Club here yesterday.

Held to a tie by two rivals in the first two days, Ababa outsteadied Boboy Jaraula and Rufino Bayron this time as the National Caddies Open standout fired four birdies against a bogey for a 35-34 card and a 69 that gave him a 54-hole aggregate of 209.

That was three shots ahead of Titan Tabanas, who matched Ababa’s 69 with an eagle-spiked round to emerge the new challenger with a 212 as Jaraula and Bayron reeled back with mediocre rounds at the up-and-down, challenging layout.

Jaraula, who shared the lead with Ababa in the first round of this event serving as the last leg of the five-stage circuit sponsored by Samsung and featuring the country’s top amateurs, matched par 72 and slid to third with a 213.

Bayron, whose 69 Friday kept him in step with Ababa halfway through the 72-hole tournament backed by Taylor Made, C-Lium Fibre, Microtel, Titleist, Custom Clubmakers/KZG and Sunbolt with Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9 and 99.5 RT and Solar Sports Plus as media partners, fumbled with a two-over 74 and tumbled down to fourth with a 214.

That was the same output put in by Mark Fernando, who carded a 72, while Tonton Asistio shot a 71 but stood seven shots behind heading into the final 18 holes of this event where the champion will join the first four leg winners in the grand finals next month at Mt. Malarayat.

National team mainstay Marvin Dumandan heads the elite cast after topping the Royal Northwoods leg while other finalists include Jun Bernis (Baguio Country Club), Gene Bondoc (Rancho Palos Verdes) and Ferdie Aunzo (Splendido Taal).

Meanwhile, Meloy Cubillo turned in a 71 to pace the men’s Class A by five strokes over Belem Arancon and Art Gacasan, who both shot 76s, while Luis Jainga took charge in Class B with a 77 for a three-shot lead over Albert Bacus, who had an 80. Clyde Mondilla remained in the hunt with an 81.

Ababa, toughened up by a stint in the Singapore Open recently, broke away from Bayron with a birdie-birdie stint from No. 4. Although a bogey on No. 8 stalled his charge, the reed-thin shotmaker buckled down to work by sinking birdie putts on Nos. 14 and 18 for that 69.

Tababas eagled No. 9 to negate his bogeys on Nos. 1 and 11 then came up with fiery windup with three birdies on the last six holes to fire that 69 and assume the challenger’s role.