Gialon breaks away; Avaricio triumphs anew

Zannie Boy Gialon–photo by Joey Sanchez Mendoza.

Zannie Boy Gialon sustained his assault on the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship field on Thursday, draining six birdies in a four-under-par 68 to zoom to a commanding five-shot lead heading into the final round even as Chanelle Avaricio claimed a second straight ladies title with a superlative show of poise in Cavinti, Laguna.

The 32-year-old Gialon, an ex-caddy at Apo Golf, birdied three of his last six holes to keep the talented field at bay and take a 204 aggregate into Friday’s final round where he can wrap up his second title and first since the 2017 stop at Calatagan.

Joenard Rates, who couldn’t make a mistake in the first two rounds to share the lead with Gialon heading into Day 3, had three bogeys in a 73, which allowed the pint-sized Rupert Zaragosa to catch him at 209 after the many-time national champion assembled a 67.

Avaricio, meanwhile, played her final five holes at one-under to rescue a level 72, which was enough for a one-shot win over Chihiro Ikeda at 217. It was the second straight win for the young, upcoming star after her Hallow Ridge triumph before the Holy Week.

Ikeda also churned out a 72 even as Daniella Uy finished third at 221 after a 75.