Justin Quiban sustained his sharp form with a five-under-par 67 Friday and padded his lead to five strokes over Clyde Mondilla in the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open at Luisita Golf and Country Club.
Propped by back-to-back top six finishes at Southwoods and Wack Wack, Quiban posted a 13-under 203 total and moved closer toward a breakthrough victory in a two-year pro career.
“I feel pretty solid, with my irons doing the most damage which enabled me to attack the pins with precision,” said the 21-year-old Quiban, who hit all but one fairway and missed just two greens in leaving Mondilla, who shot a 71, behind.
The 23-year-old Mondilla, this year’s Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit king, moved to within two with back-to-back birdies from No. 11, but lagged farther after Quiban birdied three of the last six holes.
Still, Mondilla remained upbeat of his chances for a follow-up to his PGT Asia triumph at Riviera last September.
“It can still be done. I just need to have a good start tomorrow (Saturday),” said Mondilla, who towed Joenard Rates and Macedonian Peter Stojanovski by one shot in the chase for the $17,500 top purse.
Stojanovski birdied four of the first eight holes and fired a second straight 69 to tie Rates, who matched par, at third with 209 totals.
Another early favorite, Tony Lascuña, shot a 73 and bowed out of contention with a 214. —ROY LUARCA