Lumbo hangs on; Ababa races ahead

MANILA, Philippines — Jeffren Lumbo, the rookie from Sarangani, fired a gutsy two-under 70 under steady drizzle to hold off Ryan Monsalve halfway through the ICTSI South Pacific Golf Classic in Davao yesterday.

The 29-year-old Lumbo carded a 35-35 round highlighted by four birdies, including three straight from No. 10 for a seven-under 137, two strokes ahead of his closest pursuer.

Monsalve took the challenger’s role with a two-day total of 139 after an impressive bogey-free 68. Russell Bautista also carded a 68 for solo third at 140 in the P3.5 million event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Meanwhile, Sarah Ababa scrambled for a one-under 71 to surge past erstwhile leader Chanelle Avaricio and a charging Florence Bisera in the penultimate round of ladies play.

Counting her opening 69, Ababa assembled a four-under 140.