Villaber joins Sumcad, Que at helm

ILOILO, Philippines – Peter Villaber came out unscathed in a virtual battle for survival at the frontside of Sta. Barbara, escaping with a three-under 67 and forcing a three-way tie with erstwhile solo leader Orlan Sumcad and fancied Angelo Que in the second round of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge here yesterday.

Villaber, the former amateur hotshot chasing for his first pro win in two years, birdied Nos. 6 and 7 to complete a 35-32 card then watched Sumcad and Que fumble in their last four holes to gain a view of the top at 136 heading to the final round of the 54-hole P1 million tournament.

But he will be up against rivals also raring to end a long victory spell on the local circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with Que blowing his bid for the solo lead with bogeys on Nos. 7 and 9.

Still, his 69 kept the former three-time Asian Tour winner on track for his local crown since ruling the ICTSI Classic at Malarayat last year.

Despite slowing down with an even par 70 after a sizzling 64, Sumcad also lined himself up for a first title in 12 years, his second round bid ruined by a missed-green bogey on No. 8, needing to sink a long birdie putt on the last hole to force a tie at four-under overall.

Mars Pucay, one of the very few talented players never to win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, actually poised to grab the lead after tying the troika at four-under with three holes to go. But he bogeyed the tough par-4 eighth and tumbled down to second at 137 after a 67 in a tie with obscure Rene Menor, who sneaked from behind to vie for the top honors with a four-under 66.

Two-leg winner Miguel Tabuena also bounced back into contention with a 68, the same output put in by Jay Bayron and Mhark Fernando while Clyde Mondilla matched par 70 to create a four-way tie for sixth at 138, just two shots off the pace, ensuring a wide-open race for the top P200,000 purse in this seventh leg of the 16-stage circuit sponsored by ICTSI.

Defending champion Jhonnel Ababa also stayed in the hunt at 139 despite a 70 as he joined a fancied group that includes Order of Merit leader and two-leg winner Tony Lascuna and Sherwood Hills champion Elmer Salvador, who both fired 67s, Ferdie Aunzo, who had a 68, and Rey Pagunsan, who made a 70.

Juvic Pagunsan, needing a low round to turn around a fumbling start, did just that, firing an eagle-spiked 65 to get into the mix at 141, five strokes off the pace.

After three straight pars, the British Open veteran eagled the par-5 No. 4 then capped a four-under run over a three-hole stretch with back-to-back birdies. He dropped a stroke on the seventh for the second straight day but gunned down two more birdies at the back for a 33-32 card.

The other backers of the circuit are Sharp, Nike Golf, Callaway, Titleist, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno and Foot Joy with support from Event Captain, Inc., Omnisource Inti’l. TPGAP and media partners Balls, A Round of Golf, Inquirer Golf, Studio 23, Pinoygolfer.com and Impact.