^

Sports

Sinfuego, Villacencio take charge

- Joey Villar -

BINANGONAN, Rizal, Philippines – Richard Sinfuego came through with back-to-back birdies from No. 13 to complete a solid four-under 67 for a share of the lead with Arnold Villacencio at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic at the Eastridge Golf Club here yesterday.

With the big guns settling for one-under or even par rounds, the lesser lights ran the show in the opener of the 54-hole tournament with Sinfuego sustaining a flawless frontside 33 with those late birdies to negate a lone bogey mishap on No. 11.

It was Sinfuego’s strongest start in a long while with the former amateur hotshot out to erase the stigma of a series of mediocre finishes on the tour, including at the ICTSI Del Monte leg last year where he was disqualified, along with two others, from a crack at the crown on a final hole infraction.

Earlier, the power-hitting Villacencio surprised the field with a solid 67, spiked by a closing 30 and highlighted by a pitch-in eagle from 70 yards on the par-4 No. 10.

The duo took a one-shot lead over another unfancied bet in Ruben Sasutil, who also rallied with a 33 at the back for a 68, while another shot back at 69 were Elmer Saban and Rufino Bayron, who once won a pro tournament as an amateur.

The fiery windup was enough for Villacencio, whose best effort in the ICTSI-bankrolled Philippine Golf Tour was a joint third place finish at the ICTSI Classic in Malarayat last April, to seize the early lead with half of the field still to complete play.

“This course suits me because I’m a long-hitter,” said Villacencio in Filipino, after taming the long, up-and-down 7,165-yard layout situated on top of a mountain overlooking the Laguna Lake.

“I hope to continue to play well the next two days, I really want to win my first title on this Tour,” said Villacencio.

Miguel Tabuena, the 16-year-old sensation gearing up for a breakthrough pro victory, rebounded from an opening 37 with a fiery 33 to tie Artemio Murakami, Dante Becierra and Joseph Labajo at 70.

Juvic Pagunsan, gunning for his second straight win after topping the ICTSI Orchard leg with a record setting final round 63 two weeks ago and third overall in four legs, turned in a one-birdie, one-bogey output to lead the nine-man group with even par 71s.

That includes Elmer Salvador, Albin Engino, Carl Santos-Ocampo, Ryan James Lam, Ernie Rellon, Randy Garalde, Jhonnel Ababa and Marvin Dumandan while Tonton Asistio, winner of the pro-am tournament Tuesday, stood at 72 in the company of Michael Bibat, Paulo San Gabriel and Robert Pactolerin.

Dumandan, who withdrew in the Orchard leg due to chest pains, also put himself in early contention as he launched his bid to at least duplicate his three-leg victory in last year’s edition of the tour.

“My doctor told me to take a rest so I’m coming here without a single practice,” said Dumandan.

Meanwhile, Asistio led his team composed of Mike Besa, Albert Garcia and Susan San Pascual to victory with a 51 in Tuesday’s pro-am tournament.

Tony Lascuña and partners Danilo Tanedo, Jun Reyes and Jay Valdez shot a 53 for second while Joenard Rates and teammates Randy Cabangon, Anselmo Sinjian Jr. and Henry Rodriguez finished third with 54.

Lascuña, currently running third in the Order of Merit with a P299,500 earning behind Pagunsan’s P650,000 and Salvador’s P345,000, withdrew after 15 three holes due to foot injury.

“It really hurts,” said Lascuña.

The 17-leg circuit, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.

A ROUND OF GOLF

ALBERT GARCIA AND SUSAN SAN PASCUAL

ALBIN ENGINO

ANSELMO SINJIAN JR. AND HENRY RODRIGUEZ

ARNOLD VILLACENCIO

ARTEMIO MURAKAMI

CARL SANTOS-OCAMPO

CARR GOLF MANAGEMENT

CUSTOM CLUBMAKERS

DANILO TANEDO

VILLACENCIO

  • Latest
  • Trending
Latest
Recommended
Are you sure you want to log out?
X
Login

Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!

Get Updated:

Signup for the News Round now

FORGOT PASSWORD?
SIGN IN
or sign in with