PH Senior Am golf: Catch Avena if you can

LIPA CITY—Abe Avena matched par 72 yesterday and stormed to what looked like an unassailable 10-shot lead heading into the last round of the NGAP Philippine Senior Amateur golf championship at Malarayat’s composite layout here.

And with the title practically in the bag, the 56-year-old, five-time club champion got the motivation to go for a record winning total from someone who has won the same event.

“Francis (Gaston) told me that no past champion has ever broken par (in total) in this event,” Avena told the Inquirer. “He told me, ‘Go for the record.’ That’s my goal now. I’ll be in cruise control (for the final round), but I’ll try to get the job (of finishing under par) done.”

With a 142 total, Avena, who mixed three birdies with as many bogeys for the day, is at two under on a course he knows like the back of his hand.

Former winner Rolly Viray fired a 73 and lay at 152 with Montito Garcia ballooning to an 81 to drop out of the hunt at 155 in the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation as part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour.

Dave Hernandez and Gaston stayed tied at 156 after shooting identical 76s.

Garcia, who played for Cebu Country Club in both the men’s and seniors’ divisions of the PAL Interclub, started the day four shots off but struggled right on his first nine holes with a 39.

Meanwhile, a spirited battle shaped up in the Mid-Am side of the tournament backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Pancake House, Pacsports and Club Car as Norman Dela Peña moved within four of Chang Young-hi after a 71. Chang shot a 73 to be at 145.