Gines leads PGT Q-School with 72

MANILA, Philippines - Former national team mainstay Solomon Gines survived a rollercoaster round at the up-and-down Tat Filipinas layout as he salvaged an even par 72 to post a one-stroke lead over Jomar Pepito and amateur Johvanie Abaño at the start of the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying tournament late Wednesday.

Gines nearly blew a decent 35 start with back-to-back bogeys from No. 10 but rolled in a four-footer for birdie at the par-5 18th for that 72 and the early lead in the 54-hole tournament which stakes 20 ranking spots for this year’s ICTSI-PGT circuit.

Pepito bucked a double-bogey mishap at the par-5 No. 13 as he turned in a 36-37 round to tie Abaño, who bogeyed No. 16 and missed joining Gines in the lead in the event conducted by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., which organizers the ICTSI-PGT.

 Dino Villanueva carded a 74 while Arnie Fernando, Jesselito Saragoza and national team mainstays Clyde Mondilla and Art Arbole stood a shot farther back at 75.

Mondilla, a former national champion, and Arbole, spearhead of a number of national teams in international competitions, are joining the pro ranks right after the PAL Interclub next week.

A total of 71 players, including 60 pros and 11 amateurs, are chasing the top 20 spots for this year’s pro circuit set to fire off March 15 at Splendido. The field includes touring pros who failed to make the Top 60 of the 2011 PGT Order of Merit ranking.

Under the PGT Eligibility Category 4, players who make the Top 20 get to play the full schedule of the ICTSI-PGT, which boasts of 16 events. Only players with 152 or better after 36 holes will advance to the final round where they will be ranked according to their scores.

Others in the hunt are Enrico Opinion, Sonny Villaber, Danny delos Santos, Jett Plete, John Salvador and Dan Cruz, who all had 78, while Hanson So, Jr. and Andy Bartolome head the 79 scorers, who include Angelo Anzuris.

Former junior champion Ramon Brobio is also in the mix despite an 80 as he shared 18th place with Eddie Bagtas, Joel Pilac, Lino Retuerto, Demetrio Sanchez, Rey Alo, Jojo Cruz, John Rey Pactolerin and Edwin Estrera.