Bagtas pulls away by four over Avena

MANILA, Philippines - Eddie Bagtas shot a second straight two-over 74 and surged past erstwhile co-leader Abe Avena to post a four-stroke lead in the second round of the NGAP National Senior Amateur Championship presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Mount Malarayat in Lipa, Batangas yesterday.

Bagtas, the former touring pro who helped lead Luisita to victory in the PAL Senior Interclub title in Bacolod last February, strung up a pair of 37s on three birdies against five bogeys at the composite Malipunyo and Lobo nines to pool a 36-hole haul of 148.
That put him four shots clear of Avena, last year’s winner who also carded a 74 in the first round but faltered with a 40 and 38 for a 78 and a 152 heading to the final 18 holes of the annual event backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot and Pacsports and serving as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Dave Hernandez failed to sustain a 37 start and turned in a second straight 77 for third at 154 while Rudy Amata also made a 77 for a 155 and former champion Francis Gaston also shot a 77 for a 156 in a tie with Mari Hechanova, who stumbled with a 82 after sharing the first round lead with 74.

Egay San Luis, the other player who made a 74 Wednesday, also skied to an 83 and fell to seventh at 157 followed by Rolly Viray, who had  a159 after a 79, Tony Olives, who made an 82 for a 160, and Jose Iñigo, who had a 162 after another 81.

Gary Sales made a 78 for a 155 as he hiked his lead to two over Jeck Mendoza, who shot a 79 for a 157 in the Mid-Am Open division. Gerald Katigbak improved with an 80 after an 82 but stood seven strokes off Sales with a 162.

Vincent Infante turned in an 80 to post a one-stroke lead over Earel Gardiola, Reggie Nunag and Domingo de Leon, who all carded 81s, in the Mid-Am Division I with Jose Angeles shooting an 82 while Walter Lacusta took charge n Mid-Am Division II with an 83, three shots ahead of Victor Se and Nelson Ventura, who both had 86s.