JUVIC PAGUNSAN and Miguel Tabuena scored 68s to lead the pack in the rain-suspended first round of the ICTSI-Mt. Malarayat Championship at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas yesterday.
Tabuena also charged home with a four-under card to tie the fancied Pagunsan at the helm, one stroke clear of Thai Panuwat Muenlek.
Pagunsan holed out with a birdie on the par-5 ninth to slip past Thai Panuwat Muenlek, who momentarily seized the solo lead with a three-under 69 until the two Filipino bets came through with their 68s to move on top. Tabuena used a fiery frontside stint to put himself in early contention, birdying four of the last five holes for a 32. He slowed down a bit at the back, dropping a stroke on the par-5 14th but recovering the stroke with a birdie on No. 16.
Veteran campaigner Tony Lascuna birdied the par-5 17th to tie Jerson Balasabas, Mars Pucay, Gene Bondoc, Khrongpha Thanyakon, Prathummanee Atthaphon, Apichart Papitak and Guido Van Der Valk at two-under 70.
Erwin Arcillas turned in his best start in years— a 71 that tied him with another Thai bet Chaisri Borworn. Correspondent Jonas Panerio