Aunzo, pal card 70, pace Davao pro-am

DAVAO, Philippines – Ferdie Aunzo and Monchit Mackay used a solid backside stint to fire a two-under 70 and wrest a two-stroke lead over three other teams at the start of the P1 million Davao National Pro-Am Presented by Samsung and Emcor here yesterday.

Starting out on No. 10, Aunzo, who honed his talent and skills at the Apo layout, and Mackay bucked a bogey on the par-5 14th with birdies on Nos. 15, 16 and 18 before settling for an even 36 at the front for that 70 in the alternate-shot format event.

Jhonnel Ababa, another homegrown pro, matched par 72 in his team-up with Benjie Leparto as they forged a three-way tie for second with the Paul Miñoza-Francis Morilla and Albin Engino-Edsel Tan tandems in the 54-hole tournament sponsored by top electronics firm Samsung and leading retail business corporation Emcor.

Tony Lascuña and Elmer Salvador, the top two fancied pros in the 107-team field, struggled with over par scores and will need to rebound in the last two rounds to get a crack at the top P172,000 purse.

Salvador, winner of two legs on the local circuit, including the Aboitiz Invitational in Cebu last month, failed to get his game going with partner Ryan Gotan and wound up with a 77 from nines of 38-39 while Lascuña, the local tour’s current Order of Merit leader, never recovered from a bogey-bogey start at the back with Den-Den Castro, hobbling with a 78 from rounds of 38-40.

Frankie Miñoza also sputtered in his tandem with Ting Castillo in the foursomes as they combined for a 76 on two 38s for a share of 16th place.

Unfancied Miguel Ochoa, meanwhile, got a big boost from his partnership with top amateur John Kier Abdon as they pooled a 73 to trail Aunzo and Mackay by just three in a tie with the pairs of Boboy Jaraula-Reymond Jaraula and Christopher delos Santos-Kim Tae Woo.

Four pairs carded similar 74s, including Ramil Bisera-Micah Shin, Louie Dacudao-Bayani Garcia, Jun Bernis-Paul Garcia and Edwin Saban-Ian Pacquin while rookie pro Johvan Abano and Joel Langgamin assembled to a 75 for joint 15th with Rey Pagunsan-Boy Paduano, Solomon Gines-Oliver Gan and Renegade Casas-Tibor Marcelino.

Joining Miñoza and Castillo at 76 are Mhark Fernando-Ais Fernando, Rene Menor-Boy Saldana Jr., Eddie Salvador-Mike Enriquez and 2010 pro champion Edgar Ababa-Oscarlito Ababa.

Jay Bayron, the other fancied pro in the fold, sputtered with an 84 in a teamup with Joe Marfori and in danger of missing the cut in the event Kawasaki Motors Phils. Corp., Malayan Insurance, Suzuki, Cargo Serve, LVL Construction, DASIA, Koppel, Chain Marketing, Percia Construction, Transworld, Goetz Moving, JD Alvarado Architects, Pluvial, Vigor, Condura, VM Security, Adtel and Skygo.