‘Pacto’ wrests 1-stroke lead

Veteran Robert Pactolerin rolled in a five-foot putt for eagle to polish off a 4-under-par 68 and grab a one-stroke lead halfway through the P1.5-million ICTSI Classic at the composite Lobo and Malipunyo nines of Mount Malarayat in Lipa City.

The 53-year-old Pactolerin, a former Philippine Open champion who has struggled in the first nine legs this season, actually picked up a total of five shots on his last four holes for a 36-hole 137 aggregate.

Joenard Rates also gunned down an eagle in firing a 70 that boosted him to second at 138, in a tie with Koreans Lee Seong-ki and Woo Seong-bin. Lee posted another 70 while Woo fired a 68.

A four-man group headed by Antonio Lascuña was another stroke back, even as the fancied Juvic Pagunsan failed to go low for the second straight day with a level 72 for 143.

Lascuña, seeking to win a second straight title after ruling the Apo Golf stop in his hometown of Davao two weeks ago, fired a 70 and joined first-round leader Arnold Villacencio at 139, along with Zannie Boy Gialon (70) and Rolando Marabe (71). Villacencio, who had a 66 Wednesday, struggled with a 73 this time.

All told, 11 players were four strokes or less off the lead.

Chris Mamaril fell four strokes off the pace at 140 after a 73 even as brothers Jay and Rufino Bayron shot a 70 and 72, respectively, to catch the much-improved Artemio Murakami, who matched par, at 141.

Pagunsan, back on Tour after paying a fine of P25,000 for unprofessional conduct, nailed five birdies against the same number of bogeys for a 143 total. He also had five birdies in his opening 71.

“Everything just worked well for me today —driving, irons and putting,” the burly Pactolerin said in Filipino. “I have always believed that if my irons and putting click, I can still play against our younger players today.”

Pactolerin, who won the Open in 1990 and has several Philippine Masters titles under his belt, has not won since nipping Lascuña in sudden-death at Marapara in 2012. He also finished with a flourish in the first round where he birdied his last four holes.

“The third round (today) will be very crucial,” Lascuña said. “Whoever wants to win would have to make a move.”
Michael Bibat and Albin Engino shot identical 70s to join Jhonnel Ababa (75), Anthony Fernando (73), Miguel Ochoa (71), Elmer Salvador (73) and Korean Anthony Kim (73) at 142.
Keeping Pagunsan company were Rico Depilo (71), Benjie Magada (72) and Japanese Yuta Sudo (70).

Forty-two made the cut at 147, including Thomas Kim, also of South Korea, who had a 72, Rene Menor, who had a 75, and John Rey Pactolerin, who carded a 76. Luisita leg winner Charles Hong missed the cut with a 150 despite a 72. Musong R. Castillo