Ababa fires 72, climbs to second

MANILA, Philippines - Jhonnel Ababa matched par 72 to move up to second behind Malaysia’s Iszaimi Ismail in the second round of the Sabah Amateur Open at the Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club in Sabah, Malaysia last Saturday.

Ababa, the top ICTSI-Cangolf bet who led a 1-2 finish by the RP bets here when he beat Jerson Balasabas last year, recovered from a two-over par 74 in the first round but stood five shots off Ismail with a 146 heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament also serving as a qualifier for next month’s Malaysian Amateur Open.

Ismail fired a 71 to seize the solo lead with a 141.

Miguel Tabuena, who shared the first round lead with 70, fumbled with an 81 and tumbled down with a 151 aggregate.

ICTSI’s Lovelynn Guioguio, meanwhile, carded a second 75 and trailed Malaysian Kelly Tan by six strokes in the ladies side of the event. Tan matched par for the second straight day for a 144, two shots clear off compatriot Anil Abubakar while Guioguio stood in third with a 150.

Anya Tanpinco made a 75 for a 151 while last week’s New Zealand Matchplay Championship runner-up and ICTSI team spearhead Chihiro Ikeda also made the cut despite an 80 for a 156.

Zanie Gialon and Sonny Villaber also made it to the final round with the former shooting a 73 for a 153 and the latter assembling a 156 after an 80.