Juvic wrests lead; ace checks Sinfuego skid

SILANG, Cavite , Philippines – Juvic Pagunsan recovered from an up-and-down round with three birdies in the last eight holes for a three-under 69 as he held off Richard Sinfuego’s sizzling frontside windup that included an ace for a one-shot lead in the second round of the ICTSI-Riviera Classic at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Pagunsan had an even par card after the par-4 10th from a three-birdie, three-bogey stint, but he came through with back-to-back birdies from No. 11 then birdied No. 15 for a 35-34 round in one of the early morning flights.

Counting his first round output of 70, the smooth-swinging former Asian Tour top rookie pooled a 139, posting a one-stroke lead over Richard Sinfuego heading into the final round of the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments and sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Sinfuego, who opened with a 69 Wednesday, survived a harrowing backside game of 40 as he fought back with a solid five-under 31 at the front he spiked by a hole-in-one on No. 8. He salvaged a 71 and stayed in the hunt for the top P200,000 purse with a 140.

The soft-spoken Sinfuego used a Westwood 7-iron and a Titleist No. 4 ball in scoring his first ace as a pro, which netted him P10,000 cash and P10,000 worth of gift certificates at Riviera’s pro shop and restaurant courtesy of the host club.

First day leader Omar Dungca sputtered with a two-over 74 after a brilliant opening 68 as he slid to third with a 142, three shots off Juvic Pagunsan, winner of the ICTSI-Davao and ICTSI-Canlubang legs of the circuit, backed by by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf and Golf Punk, last year.

Rey Pagunsan carded a second straight 71, so did Gene Bondoc as they joined Dungca in third place later in the day.

Unfancied Elmer Saban rallied with a 33 at the back to fire a 70 and join Mars Pucay, Tony Lascuna and Orlan Sumcad in sixth at 143.

Pucay also bounced back from a poor backside stint of 38 with a 32 to salvage a 72, the same output turned in by Lascuna, while Sumcad, joint second with Jay Bayron in the ICTSI-Sherwood Classic last March, likewise matched par and stood four shots behind Pagunsan.