Bayron fights back, joins Asistio at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Rufino Bayron rediscovered his old form and fired a bogey-free, six-under par 66 to grab a share of the lead with ICTSI teammate Antonio Asistio in the second round of the Philippine team qualifier at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club course in Lipa City, Batangas yesterday.

Bayron, who opened his bid in the first of two 54-hole elims that will select the members of the Putra Cup-bound national team with a 72, knocked down three birdies in each of the nines while saving pars twice to complete a solid 33-33 card.

He thus caught up a faltering Asistio at 138 after the first day leader, near-flawless with a 65 Wednesday, scrambled with a birdie on the final hole to card a one-over 73 as the ICTSI-backed bets posted a seven-shot lead over Calatagan’s Mhark Fernando and Peter Villaber heading into the final 18 holes of the initial qualifier conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Fernando, who romped away with the national amateur crown at Eastridge last month, bogeyed two of the first four holes and hung on at the back with an even par for a 74 and a 145.

Villaber matched that 145 output with a 71, spiked by an eagle-2 on the par-4 No. 2 but marred by a double-bogey on No. 12. He needed to birdie No. 16 for that one-under card.

Jhonnel Ababa, also of Calatagan, bounced back from a woeful 75 in the first round with a 72, moving up to solo fifth with a 147 while John Kier Abdon of Southwoods also shot a 72 for a 148.

Albin Engino also made a 72 for a 150 while Miko Alejandro and Dante Becierra ballooned with 83 and 81 after a pair of impressive opening rounds of 68 and 70, respectively, for identical 151s

Dino Villanueva of Eastridge hardly recovered from a 77 with a 76 for a 153.

From Malarayat, the 10-man field will head for Riviera for the last set of the elims, another 54-hole tournament with the top six making the RP pool and the top four spearheading the team to the Putra Cup championship.