INQUIRER Sports

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Elmer Salvador gunned down three birdies on each nine to shoot a 6-under-par 66 and grab a one-stroke lead over the venerable Frankie Miñoza and rookie pro Ferdie Aunzo in the second round of the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro championship.

Always a contender but never a winner in the first six stages of the revival of the local pro circuit, Salvador posted a 36-hole total of 138 after an opening 72 at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.

Miñoza, on vacation from the Japan Golf Tour, fired a 69 and caught up with Aunzo, who had a 70, at 139 with a round left in this chase for the P200,000 top prize.

The 49-year-old Miñoza birdied his last three holes to underscore his status as top favorite while Aunzo rallied with a 32 at the back to stay on track for a breakthrough win.

An exciting finish shaped up, however, as five players stood four strokes or less off the lead with Asian circuit veteran Artemio Murakami in solo fourth at 140 after another 69.

First-round co-leader Louie Dacudao carded a 72 but remained in contention at 141 in a tie with Richard Sinfuego (69) and Jun Bernis (68).

Rolando Marabe, who opened with a 69 like Dacudao and Aunzo, cooled off with a 73 for 142 followed by Cassius Casas, Danny Zarate, Jay Bayron and Ebarra Quiachon at 144.

Marvin Dumandan, the current Order of Merit leader with one win and one runner-up finish, groped for form with a 75 and fell to joint 15th with 146.

Forty-five players made the cut at 153, including two amateurs in Alexes Nallos (79-150) and Zanie Boy Gialon (73-152) in the

P1-million event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).

The event backers are MJ Carr Golf Management, Pisanti, The Country Club, Srixon, Fami, Business Mirror, Motorola, Omnisource and Pepsico.