Del Monte amateurs dominate PGT Q-School

MANILA, Philippines - Amateurs Banny Abaño and Clyde Mondilla underscored their readiness for big-time golf as they took the top two spots after two rounds of the Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying tournament at Tat Filipinas Golf Club in Laguna late Thursday.

Abaño sizzled with a two-under 70 despite a late tee-off, surging ahead of the field with a 36-hole aggregate of 143 for a three-stroke lead over Mondilla heading to the final round of the 54-hole qualifier that offers 20 ranking spots for this year’s ICTSI-PGT circuit.

Mondilla, the former national champion, came through with a fiery windup of 32 at the front for a 71 and a 146 as the spearheads of the Del Monte squad likewise primed up for their title defense in the PAL Interclub in Davao next week.

The two, along with national team mainstay Art Arbole and Lawrence Celestino, are expected to turn pro after the PAL Interclub with the 2012 ICTSI-PGT circuit kickoff March 28 at Splendido in Tagaytay.

Jomar Pepito carded a 74 for a 147, Dino Villanueva took the fourth spot with a 148 after a 74 and Danny delos Santos likewise shot a 74 for a 152 as they made it to the final round of the elims conducted by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., which organizes the ICTSI-PGT.

Under the PGT Eligibility Category 4, only players who shot 152 or better after 36 holes will advance to the final round for rankings although the next 15 players get to play the full schedule of the ICTSI-PGT for finishing in the Top 20.

They include Paul Minoza (71), Dan Cruz (75), Enrico Opinion (75) and first day leader Solomon Gines (81), who all had 153s; Eddie Bagtas (74-154), Arbole (80-155), Jett Plete (78-156), John Bernard Salvador (78-156), Belem Arancon (76-157), Edwin Estrera (77-157), John Rey Pactolerin (77-157), Lino Retuerto (77-157), Hanson So. Jr. (78-157), Celestino (77-158), Demetrio Sanchez (78-158) and Angelo Anzuris (79-158).