Tabuena, 2 others share Luisita lead

In-form Miguel Tabuena fired a five-under-par 67 Wednesday to share the lead with Zannie Boy Gialon and Jonel Ababa after the first 18 holes of the P2.5 million Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open at tree-lined Luisita.

The 21-year-old Tabuena, coming off a rousing come-from-behind win at Wack Wack East last week, gunned down an eagle and six birdies against three bogeys in a 33-34 card, with Ababa going bogey-free and Gialon matching Tabuena’s nines.

Tabuena is chasing a fourth victory this season to put a lock on his first Order of Merit title.

Keanu Jahns and Dutchman Guido Van Der Valk shot 69s even as Antonio Lascuña struggled in the opening round with a 71 in ideal scoring conditions over the layout considered short by international standards.

Lascuña folded up in the final round at the East course, his 79 allowing Tabuena to scoot past.

Charles Hong, who won the ICTSI leg at Luisita last May, skied to a 75 and would need a big round today to make the halfway cut. Musong Castillo