Lascuna, 3 others catch Que at helm

LAUNCH.Golf patron Ricky Razon (center), chairman and CEO of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., congratulates Jay Bayron, winner of last year’s ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit crown during the launch of the circuit’s new season at The Country Club Invitational Wednesday. Also in photo are the other leg winners (from left) Dabawenyos Elmer Salvador and Cassius Casas, TCC Invitational defending champion Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, another Dabawenyo Marvin Dumandan, Mars Pucay and Benjie Magada.

Lascuna, 3 others catch Que at helm

Tony Lascuna leaned on a fiery stint at the tough backside of The Country Club to fire a two-under 68 and force a five-way tie with first day leader Angelo Que, Juvic Pagunsan, Ferdie Aunzo and Marvin Dumandan halfway through the P4.7 million TCC Invitational in Laguna, Thursday.

Lascuna, chasing his second title in the annual event, birdied the last three holes at the back, including the challenging par-4 18th, for a 32 as he wheeled back into contention after hobbling with a five-over 75 in the first round.

But it took Lascuna a birdie on the par-4 No. 5 to gain a piece of the lead at 143 as Que stumbled with a 72 while Pagunsan, Aunzo and Dumandan fought their way back with 69 and 70, respectively, for cracks at the first ever crown in the tournament put up by ICTSI chief Ricky Razon.

This marked the first time in nine years that a crowded leaderboard emerged after 36 holes of the tournament, hinting at wild, wild race for the top P1.4 million purse.

The five took a two-stroke lead over Frankie Minoza, who blew a one-under card at the back with a 73 for a 145, while Elmer Salvador stayed in the hunt at 146 after a 74 as the rest of the field continued to struggle under demanding conditions.

But no lead is safe at the TCC layout with the wind expected to further in the weekend play of the tournament, serving as the kickoff leg of the 2011 ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.

Que, who opened with a one-shot lead over Frankie Minoza, Elmer Salvador and Omar Dungca in the first round, tumbled down after making three bogeys in a birdie-less stint at the back. But the defending champion picked himself up at the front with a birdie on No. 5 while parring the rest of the holes to salvage a two-over card.

Like Lascuna, Dumandan sizzled at the backside with a 33 but the three-time leg winner in last year’s circuit lost his touch at the front with two bogeys and missed the chance to grab the solo lead.

Aunzo, meanwhile, shot the tournament’s first bogey-free round, a one-under 69 he spiked with a birdie on the par-3 No. 17, putting himself in contention for the season’ first golfing jewel.

Pagunsan also bounced back from a so-so opening of 75 as the two-time champion strung up a pair of 34s to match Lascuna’s 68 and make it a five-way logjam heading into the final 36 holes.

Andrea Unson, winner of the recent Philippine International Junior Golf Championships, surged ahead in the amateur side with a 72, tying Minoza in sixth and posting a three-shot lead over ICTSI teammate Dottie Ardina, who had a 71, and erstwhile co-leader Lovelynn Guioguio, who skied to a 77, who both had 148s in a tie with pro Jun Bernis, had a 73.

Dungca stood a shot farther back at 149 after a 77 in a tie with Michael Bibat, who made a 76, while Artemio Murakami, winner in 2009, turned in a second straight 75 for a 150 for joint 14th with Orlan Sumcad, had a 72.pr

PAGUNSAN

DUMANDAN

LASCUNA