Constantino wrests Aoki lead after a 70

Harmie Constantino drained four of her five birdies in the last 10 holes on Thursday to salvage a second round two-under-par 70 and zoom to a two-shot lead over amateur Mafy Singson heading the final 18 holes of the P750,000 ICTSI Aoki Classic at the vast Eagle Ridge complex in Gen. Trias, Cavite.

The sizzling finish more than made up for all three of her bogeys coming in the first four holes and she wound up as the only player to crack par for a 143 aggregate as Constantino, who won here last March before the tour was shuttered again because of a second lockdown, is in prime position to repeat.

“It was a little rough start in the first nine holes, but I made it up at the back nine,” said Constantino.

“I must play steady and try not to make many mistakes,” Constantino added when asked of her final round plans.

Singson, who shot a 70 on Wednesday, skied to a 75 with four of her six bogeys coming inside the last eight holes. Sunshine Baraquiel made her move with a 72 putting her within six of the lead like amateur Laurea Duque and former Southeast Asian Games hotshot Chihiro Ikeda.

Duque, who started the day just two shots behind Singson, ballooned to a 77 while Ikeda carded a 75.

Chanelle Avaricio, one of the pretournament favorites, rebounded with a level 72.