Saldaña keeps Zaragosa rally at bay

CANLUBANG, Laguna—Showing that he also has the poise—and not just the shotmaking—to make it to the next level, Andres Saldaña weathered a storm Thursday to stay on top of the 19th WExpress-DHL RVF Amateur Golf Championship.

The 19-year-old lefty, who turns pro next month, played his final five holes at 3-under yesterday to salvage an even-par 72 and stay two shots clear of the hard-charging Rupert Zaragosa in the event presented by the MVP Sports Foundation at Canlubang’s North course here.

Saldaña lost a three-shot overnight lead to Zaragosa after nine holes but picked himself up with aplomb, gunning down an eagle 3 on the 14th and then draining a birdie on the last par-5, the 17th, for a 210 total and an important buffer over the most dangerous man in the field.

Zaragosa, after birdieing the last three holes of the front nine to pull even with Saldaña, couldn’t pick up another shot coming home, settling for a 71 in the event that is also part of the PLDT Group Amateur Tour and backed by Pancake House, Golf Depot and Pacsports.

“He made a move early in the round,” Saldaña said of the pint-sized Zaragosa, the former national men’s and boys’ champion. “I just held on and attacked when I got the chance.”

Magno Arancon made it a three-cornered fight, shooting a 68 to zoom into contention, just another shot behind Zaragosa.