Saldaña remains on top; Zaragosa makes move

MANILA, Philippines - Andres Saldaña hung tough with a two-under 70 as he held off a charging Rupert Zaragosa to cling to a three-stroke lead halfway through the 19th WWWExpress-DHL RVF Amateur Championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Cangolf’s North course yesterday.

Saldaña, who sizzled with 68 in the first round, continued to dish out fine form as he gunned down four birdies against two bogeys for that 70 as he remained on top of the heap with a 36-hole aggregate of 138.

That was three shots ahead of Zaragosa, who finally found his rhythm after a mediocre 72 Tuesday, hitting five birdies against two bogeys to seize solo second at 141 heading to the final 36 holes of the event serving as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Del Monte’s Magno Alarcon carded a one-under 71 as he joined Saldaña and Zaragosa in the featured flight at 142.

In ladies’ play, Team ICTSI’s Pauleen del Rosario fired an eagle-spiked 70 to open a huge six-shot lead over Daniela Gonzales after the first 18 holes of the event backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot and Pacsports.

Amelia Legaspi wavered wtih a 77 while Daniella Uy skied to a 78 in a tie with Ahn Suji and Korean expat Huang Ming-jong.

Mel Cubillo, another bet from Del Monte, carded a 74 and dropped into a tie with John Kier Abdon at 146.

Justin Quiban rallied with a 70 but stayed nine shots adrift in the company of reigning world 13-14 champion Kristoffer Arevalo, who made a 75 for a 147.

Raymart Tolentino and the long-hitting Miggy Yee were at 148 after a 74 and 73, respectively, with Leonard Lofranco of Del Monte and Cebu Country Club’s Gen Nagai rounding out the Top 10 at 149 after shooting a 72 and 74, respectively.