Ababa-Echavez wrests lead

DAVAO, Philippines – Edgar Ababa and Paul Echavez birdied the last hole to salvage an even par 72 yesterday and seize a two-stroke lead in the penultimate round of the Davao National Pro-Am golf tournament co-presented by Samsung and Emcor at the Apo Golf and Country Club here.

Ababa, a former winner on the local pro tour, and Echavez recovered from back-to-back bogeys from No. 11 with birdies on the 13th and 18th to save par and grab the solo lead at 145 heading into the final round of the 54-hole tournament.

Albin Engino and national team standout Mark Fernando birdied the last three holes for a three-over 75 as they tied erstwhile leaders Dante Torres and Alejandro Saban in second at 147 in the P1 million championship marking Samsung’s first involvement in pro golf.

Torres and Saban wavered with a bogey on the easy par-5 final hole for a 76.

Three other teams still had an outside chance of winning the tournament backed by Kawasaki, Tri-com, BCLN Golf, LVL Construction, Malayan Insurance, Allegoiance Cargo, Edcon, Mega Joy Trading, Aldwin Oriental Graphics, Canon, Tran World Brokerage Corp., Cargo Serve, MDR, Banbros, Goetz and MSI-ECS.

Elmer Saban and Gen Nagai combined for a 74 while Buboy Jaraula and Clyde Mondilla carded a 76 for joint fourth at 149, four strokes adrift.

Edwin Sanchez and Art Arbole were alone in sixth at 150 after a 75 while Dan Cruz-Jessie Balasabas, Louie Dacudao-Bayani Garcia, Tonyt Fernando-Larry Pasquil and Richard Sinfuego-Bobby Inigo stood in a four-way tie at 151.

Juvic Pagunsan and partner Boy Tan and the teams led by Cassius Casas and Danny Zarate missed the 30-team cut.