Uy stands out on trying day, leads by 3

Daniella Uy bounced back from a quadruple bogey 7 in style on Thursday and salvaged a one-over-par 72 on a truly demanding day at the Langer layout, grabbing a three-shot lead over Chihiro Ikeda in the P750,000 ICTSI Riviera Ladies Challenge to move ever closer to a breakthrough pro win.

After dumping two tee shots to the hazard on the par-3 eighth hole, Uy drained three straight birdies from No. 9 to steady the ship and play her last 10 holes at three-under for a 146 aggregate heading into the final 18 holes over a layout that has taken no prisoners in the second round.

First round leader Harmie Constantino, after an opening 70 for a three-shot lead to start the day, ballooned to an 81 to be five shots adrift, even as Ikeda fired a 76 to stay in the mix and be the closest pursuer.

“Anything can happen here at Langer,” said Uy, whose career-best finish was a tie for second in the Highlands leg ruled by Sunshine Baraquiel three weeks ago. “I need to be patient and focused [in the final round].”

Chanelle Avaricio returned a 75 and also stayed on course toward a first pro win, trailing Uy by five like Constantino.

Marvi Monsalve hit a second straight 77 to be eight off, with the amateur Arnie Taguines another shot back after her version of a 77.

Baraquiel, meanwhile, had an atrocious 89.