Ababa, Salvador joint leaders at Eagle Ridge

Jhonnel Ababa carded a one-under-par 71 despite a closing bogey to gain a share of the lead with Elmer Salvador halfway through the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational at Aoki course in Gen. Trias, Cavite, on Thursday.

Salvador, the first round solo leader after a 67, recovered from a backside slump with a birdie binge at the front, but settled for a 72 and a 139 total following a missed green bogey on the 18th.

Hounded by poor putting at the back where he teed off, Salvador actually yielded the lead with a two-over card after 11 holes, but gunned down three birdies in a four-hole stretch from No. 3 to regain control.

Ababa and Salvador were two strokes ahead of a charging Justin Quiban, who fired a 69 for a 141 heading to the last 36 holes of the $100,000-event.

Charles Hong shot a 67 he spiked with three closing birdies at the back and three more at Nos. 3 , 6 and 9 as he forced a four-way tie at 142 with Indonesian Jordan Irawan, Keanu Jahns and Joenard Rates, who carded 68, 70 and 72, respectively.

“Unlike in the first round, my putting was off today (Thursday) with three putt miscues,” said Salvador.

Thai Tommy Mansuwan settled for a 73 and slid to eighth place at 143.

Tony Lascuña rebounded from an opening 74 with a 70 and share ninth place at 144 with Korean Lee Jae Won (70), Dutch Guido Van der Valk (74) and Arnold Villacencio (69).

“I’m happy to get my groove back. But it’s still a long way to go, I just hope my putting clicks in the last two rounds,” said Lascuña, who like Quiban, is bidding to become the first PGT Asia double leg winner after prevailing at Wack Wack last November.

Frankie Miñoza fired a 69 for joint 13th at 145.