Casas, Asistio share lead with 71s

SILANG, Cavite – Cassius Casas of Davao and Antonio Asistio II took different routes to produce the same results – a pair of 71s – that proved to be the best scores in a punishing day at Riviera’s Langer layout at the start of the P1 million ICTSI Riviera Classic here, Wednesday.
Unfancied Randy Garalde actually appeared headed for the first day honors in this 11th leg of the 16-stage ICTSI-Philippine Golf Circuit with a one-under card but succumbed to the demanding condition of the ravine-laced par-71 course and bogeyed the last three holes.
That enabled Casas and Asistio to snatch the lead with the former, seeking to end a year-long title drought, hitting three birdies at the back for a 38-33 and the latter, still in search of a maiden win in two years, birdying two of the last three holes at the front for a 36-35.
They took a one-stroke lead over Anthony Fernando, the former national champion also in pursuit of a breakthrough victory in the circuit who overcame two double-bogeys and two bogeys with four birdies for solo third at two-over 72.
Garalde’s closing 38 dropped him to joint fourth at 73 with fancied Jay Bayron, Jhonnel Ababa, Rey Pagunsan and Rami Bisera as the rest either groped for form or simply stumbled with poor rounds at one of the country’s toughest courses.
Bayron, coming off a big win at Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI in Cebu three weeks ago, took his familiar role as leader with a one-under 35 at the back. But the reigning Order of Merit champion wavered with three bogeys in a birdie-less stint at the front.
Ababa, who nipped Bayron in a playoff to clinch his maiden win at ICTSI-Iloilo Golf Challenge, also had a decent 35 at the front but with a closing 38.
Gene Bondoc strung up nines of 36-38 for a 74 as he tied amateurs Clyde Mondilla, Art Arbole and Korean Wang Jeung Hun while Jerson Balasabas carded a 75 for a share of 13th place with Christopher delos Santos, Richard Sinfuego, Ebarra Quiachon, Dante Becierra , James Ryan Lam, Richard Abaring and another amateur Zanie Boy Gialon.
Mhark Fernando, one of the pre-tournament favorites to contend for the crown after ruling this event as an amateur in 2009, never recovered from a horrible 41 at the front and ended up with an 81. At joint 54th, the ICTSI Del Monte leg winner is in danger of missing the cut for the third time in 11 legs of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Marvin Dumandan, another top player tipped to vie for this week’s title, double bogeyed No. 16 and limped home with a 76 in a tie with Danny Zarate, Rufino Bayron, Edwin Estrera and Charles Hong.
The event, sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., is backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Inc., Srixon, Callaway, Unilab, BDO, Titleist, Sharp, Custom Clubmakers, Mizuno, PinoyGolfer.com, Inquirer Golf, Omnisource International, A Round of Golf, Studio 23, Balls, and Dynamic Sports.(pr)