Carlos shoots 69, grabs halfway Apo lead

DAVAO—Still flashing sharp form three weeks removed from his first title, Jobim Carlos on Thursday fired a three-under-par 69 jump to the halfway lead of the P3 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here.

Carlos, who ruled the Riviera stop in come-from-behind style, gunned down all four of his birdies in his last 16 holes for a 35-34 effort for a 139 aggregate that shoved him a stroke ahead of unheralded Nilo Salahog, who shot a 72.

“Every aspect of my game was in place today,” said Carlos, the former Philippine Team spearhead who earned an advertising degree at University of San Francisco before turning pro last year. “I had no problems (with my game) today.”

Joenard Rates shot a 71 and caught Ramil Bisera at 141 even as Marvin Dumandan returned a second straight 71 to be tied with Albin Engino and Reymon Jaraula at 142, his finest performances in quite a long while.

Engino, a product of the defunct National Caddies Open program, fired a 69, while Jaraula, the former Del Monte standout in the PAL Interclub, struggled to a 73 over the tree-lined layout.

“But you have to be extra cautious because the fairways are narrow and the greens are tricky,” added Carlos, whose only bogey came on No. 2.

Salahog, who trailed South Korean Park Jun-sung at the start of the day, gunned down two birdies in the last three to stay well within range of a first title.

Bisera, a veteran campaigner yet to seriously contend for a crown in a long pro career, also fell by as many as five with a three-over card after 15 holes. But the local bet birdied the last three holes.

Rates has been winless since nailing his maiden win in 2014.