Gonzales shoots 33 as AAV pads cushion

BAGUIO CITY—AAV-Ventureslink-Robros widened its lead to four points despite a three-over-par 64 for 33 points by its young top gun JR Gonzales in the premiere Fil Championship division of the 63rd Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament at Baguio Country Club here.

Gonzales’ 33 still anchored AAV-Ventureslink-Robros’s 104 points for the day for a three-day total of 370 going into the last round today.

Pint-sized former national amateur men’s and boys’ champion Rupert Zaragosa carded 28 points, team captain Theody Pascual shot 22 and Alimar Etrone chipped in 21 to round out scoring for AAV-Ventureslink-Robros.

Defending champion Mizuno Superstars shot the day’s best score of 107 and rose to second spot from as far down as fifth on opening day.

Vince Lauron paced Mizuno with 30 points with Ace Stehmeier submitting a 29 and King Stehmeier and Raymond Sangil both shooting 24s.

“Our plan worked,” said skipper King Stehmeier. “We wanted to move within four points off the lead and we did it.”

Gonzales has a virtual lock on the individual title with 113 points built around an eight-under card for 80 points over two days. He stood 13 clear of his nearest rival.

“The course is easy but the greens are very difficult,” said the 17-year-old Gonzales.

Forest Hills drew similar 26s from  Kim In-jae Kim, Edsel Tan and Raffy Garcia and a 23 from Kim Jon-ho for 101 points to keep third spot with a 365 total.

Manila Southwoods scored the day’s best of 110 through the 32 of Steve Yoon, the 27s of Jun Plana and John Kier Abdon and the 24 of Miko Yee to be in fourth place at 363.

Meanwhile, Mamala Bay closed with a second straight 94 to rule Fil B with a 438 total, 35 points clear of runner-up Dugong Bughaw (103-403). Ultra Flite pooled a 98 and settled for third place with 398.

Allan Rubrica and Sonny Ongtao collected 22 points as Ultra Flite held off Isabela Golf for a victory in Am C.