Zaragosa, De Claro up by two

MANILA, Philippines - Rupert Zaragosa and JP De Claro surged ahead by combining for one-under 71 in alternate shot format, grabbing a two-stroke lead over erstwhile leaders Ricar Candidato and Ariel Villasencio in the NGAP’s National Doubles championship at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal yesterday.

Zaragosa-De Claro hit two birdies against a bogey in putting together a 35-36 card for a 148 total as play in the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour shifts to aggregate for today’s final round.

The fancied duo actually erased a one-shot deficit right at the frontside after making the turn at 35 as Candidato-Villasencio struggled and limped with a 76 for a 150.

Luis Castro and GJ Katigbak, who fumbled with an opening 84 in the four-ball Tuesday, rebounded with a day-best 70 for a 154, six shots behind even as the Jude Eustaquio-Migs Garcia pair skied to a 79 for a 157.

Eustaquio, the former pro, and Garcia, who started the day just two shots behind, had a bogey-double bogey-par-bogey start at the back and never recovered as they trail the new leaders by nine.

While Group I action remains tight, Jing Romero and Martin Guiang pulled away in Group II with a 75 for an 11-shot lead over Paqo Barro-Aldo Barro, which pooled an 83.

Koreans continued to dominate the ladies division with Hwang Min-jeong and Seong Eun-jeong shooting a 70 for 146 for a nine-shot lead over Koh Eun-ah and Song Min-jong, who shot 73.

Meanwhile, the organizing National Golf Association of the Philippines said that the Philippine Amateur championships will be held Jan. 9 next year with participants from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries expected to participate.