Castro, Gabasa ahead by 3 strokes

Luis Castro came through with late birdies to card a one-under 71 while Junia Gabasa matched par 72 as they wrested three-stroke leads in their divisions at the start of the Philippine Junior Amateur Golf Championship at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martires, Cavite, on Tuesday.

Castro shook off an early threat from Perry Bucay and bucked a bogey on No. 11 with birdies on Nos. 15 and 17 to finish with a 36-35 and storm ahead as the rest struggled at the tough layout despite practically calm conditions.

Carl Corpus rebounded from an opening 38 with a 36 but fell behind by three with a 74 while Paolo Wong lost steam at the back and hobbled with a 40 for a 77 for joint third with Sean Ramos and Bucay in the 72-hole tournament for 17-and-under players.

Meanwhile, Aniceto Mandanas took the lead in the Special Division (18-and-above) despite a six-over 78 with Aldo Barro fumbling with an 87.