Celestino grabs 2-shot NGAP lead

LAWRENCE Celestino  bucked a shaky finish to shoot a 2-over-par  63 and  grab a two-stroke lead over Gabriel Manotoc and LJ Go in the second round of the Philex Northern Luzon Regional Championships at the Baguio Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

One shot behind LJ Go and RJ Talud after the morning round, Celestino birdied Nos. 8 and 9 for a 31 to tie Go, who made the turn at 32, then surged ahead with another birdie on the 10th in the afternoon play.

He fumbled with four bogeys from No. 12 and dropped another shot on the 17th but remained on top as the field likewise struggled on the tricky backside of the short par-61 layout.

Celestino pooled a 128 aggregate for a two-shot lead over the 15-year-old Manotoc, who took the challenger’s role with a closing 31 for a 65 and a 130 total like the Cebuano Go, who carded a 66.

Talud skied to a 68 and tumbled down to fourth at 132 heading into today’s final round of the 54-hole championship presented by Philex and sponsored by Pancake House, Titleist by Empire Golf, Pacsports and Golf Depot.

With Raymond Gonzales Jr. failing to contend with a 71 for  136 and the rest shooting high scores at the tricky layout, the battle for top honors has been reduced to a four-man affair.

Daniella Uy strung up nines of 35-33 for a 68 as she opened a four-stroke lead over Dana Gonzales, who made a 72, in the 36-hole ladies competition with Bianca Pagdanganan and Sam Martinez carding 73s.

Felix Pascual took the lead in the Mid-Amateur class with a 66, two shots ahead of Manny Solis in the tournament sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and serving as part of the Globe Amateur Golf Circuit.

Fred Puckett shot a 70 and posted a whopping eight-stroke lead in the Seniors Division.