Manotoc pulls away, Superal paces girls’ play in Phl Jr Am

MANILA, Philippines - Gabriel Manotoc came through with an eagle-spiked two-under 70 to pull away from Rupert Zaragosa while Princess Superal surged ahead in girls’ play with a 71 in the second round of the NGAP Philippine Junior Amateur Open at Sherwood Hills in Trece Martirez, Cavite yesterday.

Manotoc made the turn at 34 but bogeyed Nos. 11, 13 and 16 before hitting a solid 8-iron approach from 180 yards to within four feet off the cup on the par-5 15th for that eagle and a 70 and a 36-hole aggregate of 142.

He thus padded his lead to four over Zaragosa, who matched par 72 for a 146, while Korean expat Min Ung-park shot a 71 to be in third at 147.

Superal, meanwhile, fought back with a 71 for a 145 and likewise took a four-shot lead over erstwhile leader and ICTSI teammate Pauline Del Rosario in girls’ play. Del Rosario wavered with a 76 for a 149.

Sofia Chabon and Malaysia’s Nur Eliana Ariffin were tied at 151 after a 75 and 77, respectively, while defending champion Pamela Mariano made the cut despite an 82 for 160.

Justin Quiban also matched par and stood at 148 while Malaysian bet Ervin Chang also shot a 72 for a 149.

Zaragosa, who made a 7 on the par-4 18th Thursday, settled for a 36-36 and fell farther behind Manotoc, who is seeking the first big individual win of his career in the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Raymart Tolentino, a qualifier for the Philippines in the coming World Championships in San Diego, skied to an 80 after a 76 for a 156 while Basti Lorenzo, a teammate of Manotoc at Beacon Academy, turned in another 75 to be eight behind at 150 heading into the final two rounds of the event backed by Pancake House, Nike, Golf Depot, Pacsports and Microtel Cavite as the official residence.