Hot Ababa fires 66, grabs lead in ICTSI golf Calatagan leg

JHONNEL ABABA fired a sizzling six-under 66 to take the lead after the first round of action in the P1 million ICTSI Calatagan Challenge on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Circuit yesterday in Calatagan, Batangas.

Flashing his familiarity with the Calatagan layout where he honed his talent and skills during his amateur days, Ababa went on a birdie binge early, making five at the front against a bogey for a 32 and stayed at the helm throughout with two more birdies at the back.

But his sterling round netted him just one stroke as the other fancied bets also tamed the frontside with a slew of under-par scores despite windy condition, including Marvin Dumandan and Jun Bernis, who shot 33 and 34, respectively, for identical 67s.

Gerald Rosales turned in perhaps his most strongest start in a long while—a three-under 69. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio