Gialon, Monsalve set pace at Caliraya

Zannie Boy Gialon gunned down seven birdies in a five-under-par 67 on Tuesday to take a one-stroke lead over Joenard Rates at the start of the P2-million ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship even as Marvi Monsalve took command in the ladies’ side of the event in Cavinti, Laguna.

Gialon, a 32-year-old who took up the game as a kid caddying for members at Apo in Davao, needed just 24 putts in a round that had two missed green bogeys in the back nine for a 32-35 that was good enough to hold off Rates, who was flawless in turning in his 68.

“The course has been set up well,” Gialon, who had four of his birdies coming in a five-hole stretch from No. 2, said.

Clyde Mondilla, who lost in a two-hole playoff to Miguel Tabuena three weeks ago at Luisita, had an eagle-aided 69 to be two behind and two shots ahead of a nine-man group that returned 71s led by Jonel Ababa and the veteran Antonio Lascuña.

Monsalve, meanwhile, drained all four of her birdies in the last 14 holes to carve out a 35-34 for a two-shot lead over Chanelle Avaricio, the Hallow Ridge champ seeking to win a second straight event.

Avaricio birdied the 18th and was the last player to break par, with Chihiro Ikeda shooting a 73 to be four adrift and Daniella Uy carding a 74. The ladies event is set for just 54 holes and will end on Thursday. INQ