Bibat, Avaricio take command

TARLAC, Philippines — Michael Bibat bucked the heat and endured a year-long wait, flashing top form to fire a solid four-under 68 and wrest a one-stroke lead over Miguel Tabuena at the start of the ICTSI Luisita Championship at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Bibat tamed the challenging Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed layout, keeping the ball in play and hitting superb approach shots that set up a number of chances, four of which he birdied to seize control of the compact 48-player field.

“I think what I did right was to keep the ball in play considering the course is tough and long. My driving was okay and hit the right approach shots,” said Bibat, who placed fifth in the last PGT event ruled by Tabuena at Eagle Ridge-Aoki in March 2021.

Meanwhile, Chanelle Avaricio sneaked past Princess Superal and ace amateur Rianne Malixi with a scorching frontside finish,shooting a two-under 70 for a one-stroke lead in the Ladies Championship.

“I played a pretty decent round. After a two-bogey, one-birdie card at the back, I recovered at the front, hit some good second shots that set up easy birdies,” said Avaricio, who seeks to dish out more of the same in today’s second round in a bid to bolster her title drive in the P750,000 championship put up by ICTSI.