Balasabas up by 5 in Canlubang

Jessie Balasabas, bogey-free for the second straight day, shot a five-under-par 67 to post a five-shot lead over reigning titlistCassius Casas and two others halfway through the ICTSI Canlubang Championship yesterday at North layout in Laguna.

Still chasing a breakthrough win, Balasabas polished off a 34-33 round with a birdie-birdie finish for a 133 aggregate and pulled away from Casas, who fired a 70 like Dante Becierra, and rookie pro Keanu Jahns, who carded a 68 for 138.

Clyde Mondilla, Jonel Ababa and Charles Hong assembled contrasting versions of 69s for 139 with Zannie Boy Gialon, just one behind Balasabas at the start of the day, shooting himself in the foot with a 73 to fall behind by seven.

Arnold Villacencio, the champion last month at Summit Point in Lipa, rebounded from an opening 76 with a 67 spiked by six birdies but remained 10 shots adrift in the company of five others.

Balasabas, the second and last champion of the defunct National Caddies Open program, picked up three shots in his last four holes as he exploited his familiarity with the course.

“Of course having course knowledge is a huge advantage,” Balasabas said in Filipino. “But there are still two rounds left and you cannot take this layout for granted, especially if the winds start to blow.”