ELMER SALVADOR and Tony Lascuna earned a pair of five-under par 67s to take the top two spots after the second round of the P1 million ICTSI Del Monte Championship at Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon yesterday.
Erstwhile leader Richard Sinfuego failed to sustain his first-day charge and fell down the leaderboard with a 74 and the aforementioned pair took advantage and set up a duel between the Davaoeno aces, who finished joint runners-up at ICTSI Rancho Palos Verdes Classic last week.
Salvador pooled a 135 for a one-stroke lead over Lascuna, who assembled a 136.
Unheralded Johvanie Abaño will join Salvador and Lascuna in today’s championship flight after the local bet made a strong finish for a 68 to gain a rare crack at the fancied pair at seven-under 137, just two off the pace.
Miguel Tabuena came charging back in one of the late afternoon flights and closed out with four straight birdies to cap a fiery 31 at the front for the day’s best 66 as the Sherwood Hills leg winner took solo fourth at 139 to move four strokes off Salvador.
Michael Bibat, the Palos Verder winner who started the day just one shot behind Sinfuego, birdied two of the last four holes at the front to salvage a 73 and join Sinfuego and company at seventh. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio