Zaragosa takes command

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite—A day after shooting one of his worst scores this year, Rupert Zaragosa returned to fighting form with a three-under-par 69 and seized the lead going to the final round of the Sta. Lucia Amateur Tour’s maiden leg at Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club.

Zaragosa canned three straight birdies from No. 10, where he began the round, then added another on the 16th from 2 feet to negate bogeys on Nos. 15 and 17 at the Aoki layout.

With his 76 on opening day, Zaragosa tallied 145 and took a one-shot lead over Raymart Tolentino, who also shot a 69, and Carlo Villaroman, the former pro who shot a 72.

First-round co-leader Briam Kim ballooned to a 76 and slipped to fourth at 148, in a tie with Jelbert Gamolo. Eagle Ridge’s Dan Emilio Cruz had a level 72 for 149.

Carlo Gatmaitan (75) and Wei Wei Gao (76) were at 150 in the event sponsored by Wilcon Depot, Pomelo Tee, Davies Paints and Gatorade.

Korean Jung Kyung-young showed the way with a 73 in Class A play while compatriot Kim Jun Hyun paced Class B with an 81.

At the Norman course, Harmie Constantino fired a 74 for 152 and a six-shot edge over Felicia Medalla (80-158) in the ladies championship. Jose Nepomuceno had a 79 to take pole position in the seniors’ division.