Salvador, Asistio wrest control

ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Defending champion Elmer Salvador sustained his fiery form and shot a second straight three-under 69 while rookie pro Antonio Asistio II waxed even hotter with the day’s best score of 68 as they grabbed a one-stroke lead over Orlan Sumcad halfway through the P2 million Philippine Open at the Valley Golf Club here yesterday.

Salvador bucked a bogey mishap on No. 2 with four birdies, including one on the tough finishing par-3 hole from a superb 4-iron tee shot that landed within six feet, giving him another 69 for a six-under 138 and sparking hopes for a first repeat winner of the fabled event since the late Celestino Tugot strung up four straight from 1955.

“My plan is to play consistently,” said the soft-spoken Salvador in Filipino, who beat Dutch Guido Van der Valk by three strokes to capture last year’s edition of the event at Mt. Malarayat.

With former champions and seasoned campaigners Frankie Miñoza and Robert Pactolerin dropping off the lead with over-par rounds, Salvador and Asistio took charge with 138s but a host of others stood just a stroke or two behind, ensuring a wide-open battle for the top P350,000 purse in the tournament sponsored by San Miguel Corp.

Asistio missed just one green in an impressive display of shotmaking and iron play by a 21-year-old shotmaker who is trying to erase the stigma of his final round foldup in last month’s ICTSI-Canlubang Invitational.

“I’m hitting the ball really well. The best it has ever been,” said Asistio, who hit four birdies against a bogey on No. 15, the only time he missed the green. “It’s as if I command the ball where I wanted it to be, I just really feel good.”

Sumcad also felt good by staying in the hunt at 139 after a 71 that included four birdies but marred by a double-bogey 6 on No. 13 and a bogey on the sixth. While opening day co-leaders Miñoza, Pactolerin and amateur Zanie Boy Gialon faltered, he hung tough to find himself in the featured threesome in today’s third round.

Rufino Bayron slowed down with a 71 after a 69 for solo fourth at 140 while Miñoza faltered at the back with a 38 for a one-over 73 and slid to joint fifth with Richard Sinfuego (71), Ferdie Aunzo (70) and Asian Games silver medalist Miguel Tabuena (71).

 Miñoza, who turns 51 late this month, bogeyed three of the first four holes but struck back with four birdies in the next five to reach the turn at 35. But after another birdie on No. 11, the former two-time champion, priming up for the US Seniors Champions Tour next year, hobbled with three bogeys for a 38 and a 73.

“It’s not that bad, there’s still two rounds left,” said Miñoza, who three-putted No. 14 for the second straight day.

The 49-year-old Pactolerin, who topped this event two decades ago at Wack Wack, struggled with a three-over 75 and slipped to the group of 143 scorers, who included Anthony Fernando (70) and Russell Honrubia (73).

The 22-year-old Gialon, meanwhile, failed to sustain his hot start and skied to a five-over 77 for a 145.

Five players pooled a 142 for a share of ninth with Rey Pagunsan and Richard Abaring matching par 72s, Joenard Rates carding a 73, Albin Engino firing a 70 and Rolando Marabe firing a 69.

As Gialon skied to a 77, Tabuena wrested the lead in the race for low amateur honors, turning in his second under par card that included three birdies against two bogeys.

A total of 72 players, including 58 pros, made the cut at 153 although the other fancied bets stood too far behind the joint leaders, including Artemio Murakami (70-144), Marvin Dumandan (69-145), rookie pro Mhark Fernando (73-145) and former champion Cassius Casas (72-147).

The event is backed by Pagcor, Orient Pearl, Amalgamated Motors (Phils.) Inc., Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Rudy Project, Yamaha Golf Car, Kilton Motor Corp, Phil. Span Asia Carrier Corp, E.L. Enterprises, EFC and friends of NGAP with Club Car Phls. as hole-in-one sponsor and A Round of Golf as media partner. Motorola is the event’s 2-way radio supplier.