Bisera posts 2-shot edge, cards a 69

MANILA, Philippines - Ramil Bisera hit three birdies at the back for a three-under 69 to grab a two-stroke lead over Marvin Dumandan and Ferdie Aunzo in the second round of the P1 million ICTSI Mimosa Golf Challenge at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club in Clark, Pampanga yesterday.

Bisera, who missed the cut for the first time in 11 tournaments in the last leg at ICTSI-Royal Northwoods last month, came through with a superb backside stint in another rainy day at the par 35-37 layout to move within 18 holes from scoring a breakthrough win on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour with a 142 aggregate.

“I will just try to hang in there and see what happens,” said the soft-spoken Bisera in Filipino, one of a slew of Davaoeños chasing the top P200,000 purse in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

But he will be up against a pair of fancied bets while a bunch of talented shotmakers lurk another stroke or two behind, ensuring another wide open battle for top honors in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Dumandan, who nipped Tony Lascuña in the second playoff hole to win the Northwoods crown, struggled with his long game and was lucky enough to salvage a second straight 72 for a 144.

That was the same output put in by Aunzo, who blew a solid three-under 32 at the front with a closing 39 for a 71.

Dumandan, seeking his third title in the 13-stage circuit, actually made a 33 at the turn but fumbled with two bogeys at the back on errant drives. Raymund Sangil fired a one-under 71 to tie Gene Bondoc, carding a 73, at fourth with 145.

First round leader Zaldy Salvador also limped home with a 39 for a 75, dropping to joint sixth at 146 with Antonio Asistio II, who hobbled with a 74, and Benjie Magada, the Orchard leg champion who turned in a 73.

Bisera, ranked No. 16 in the Order of Merit standing, made a one-bogey, one-birdie stint after nine holes but knocked in a long birdie putt on No. 10 to spark his solid windup. He parred the next but rammed in another birdie putt from six feet on No. 12 before hitting another birdie from eight feet on the par-3 16th.

Reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla shot a 71 while Fil-Am Carl Ocampo-Santos and Peter Villaber of the ICTSI-The Country Club team joined him at 147 after a 71 and 72, respectively, as the troika braced for a final round shootout for the low amateur honors.

The other 147 scorer was reigning RP Open champion Elmer Salvador, who rebounded with a 70 to put himself in contention for the title in the tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Jaguar, Land Rover, Studio 23, Balls TV, Srixon/Cleveland Golf, Callaway Golf, Odyssey and Golf Punk and media partners Business Mirror, Inquirer Golf Monthly, A Round of Golf, Pinoygolfer.com and Omnisource.