Jeff Chan’s daughter shoots 73, leads by 6

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines — Aerin Chan roared back with an impressive 73 to wrest a six-stroke lead over Quincy Pilac in the girls’ 10-12 division at the start of the ICTSI Junior PGT Luzon Series 4 at Riviera’s Couples course here yesterday.

An eagle and two birdies on the front nine compensated for her double bogey on the fifth hole and her closing 34 cushioned the impact of a wobbly backside 39, giving her a commanding lead and bringing her closer to a first-leg title after two fifth-place finishes at Splendido Taal and Pinewoods.

“I had a good game, had lots of fun, and played without pressure,” said the 11-year-old Chan, daughter of PBA top gun and former Gilas player Jeff Chan.

The Saint Pedro Poveda student emphasized the importance of ball control for her title drive in the 36-hole competition.

Pilac, one of the division winners in the inaugural Junior PGT last year, matched Chan’s three-over start on the back nine but faltered with four bogeys and a double bogey against two birdies, finishing with a 79.

Georgina Handog and Maurysse Abalos, who topped the Pradera Verde and Splendido legs, respectively, struggled with 91 and 94, respectively.

Athena Serapio, meanwhile, made her mark with a 93 in her JPGT debut, taking a two-stroke lead over Tyra Garingalao, who shot a 95, with Andrea Dee and Penelope Sy posting 99 and 112, respectively, in the girls’ 8-9 division.