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Asistio, Ababa hang on in SEAG golf eliminations

10/22/2009

Antonio Asistio II and Jhonnel Ababa kept their hold of the 1-2 spots in the SEA Games Qualifier, carding identical one-over par 72s halfway through the eliminations at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Asistio, who used a solid backside stint to fire a 69 for the lead in the first round, made another superb windup with two birdies in the last three holes to salvage a 37-35 card.

With a 141 aggregate, the top ICTSI golf team member kept a one-shot lead over Ababa, the Calatagan bet who beat Asistio for the Cangolf Am crown last week.

Ababa actually seized the lead at the turn with an even 35 but failed to sustain his charge with two bogeys against a birdie at the back for that 72 and a 142.

Peter Villaber, the other ICTSI team mainstay, also remained in third with a 72, battling back from a three-over 38 after nine holes with two birdies at the back. He had a 143.

Reigning national champion Mhark Fernando turned in the best score in a challenging day – an even par 71 with three birdies against three bogeys – as he wheeled back into contention after a so-so 73 Tuesday.

He had a 144, just three strokes behind Asistio heading into the final 36 holes of the elims conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils. where the top four players will make up the RP team competing in the SEA Games in Laos in December.

US-based Judson Eustaquio, who had an impressive 72 in the first round, had an even par card after 10 holes but fumbled with two bogeys and two double bogeys against a birdie in the last eight holes for a 36-40 round and a 76. He slid to joint fifth with Albin Engino and Rufino Bayron at 148.

Engino carded a 37-39 round for a 76 while Bayron bounced back with a 72.

Dino Villanue blew a solid 34 at the front as he faltered with a 40 for a 74-152 while Dante Becierra limped home with a 79 for a 154, 13 shots off the pace.

Meanwhile, Dave Hernandez pulled away in the Asia-Pacific Golf Championship elims with a solid 71 for a 148 and a six-shot lead over Mari Hechanova, who had a 154 after a 74 while Pepot Inigo carded a 79 for a 159.