CAGAYAN DE ORO – Under the punishing heat and amid a dizzying shuffle atop the leaderboard, Rupert Zaragosa surged into a share of the lead with Russel Bautista halfway into the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship on Tuesday.
Zaragosa produced a scorching five-under 67 to catch Bautista at the helm at eight-under 136 at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club.
Bautista appeared poised to preserve his solo lead after another gutsy round but saw his advantage slip away with a costly bogey on the 18th. The late miscue left him with a 69 and forced him to settle for a share of the halfway lead.
While the scorching conditions tested the players' stamina and concentration, Zaragosa stayed focused, making three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the front nine to cap another steady round on the demanding 6,974-yard layout.
Keanu Jahns also stayed in contention, carding a second straight 69 to join Clyde Mondilla (70) at three-under 138, three shots off the pace.
Jeff Lumbo made four birdies but lost ground with a triple-bogey 8 on the par-five 17th. His 71 left him alone in fifth at 139.
Jelbert Gamolo endured another roller-coaster round, turning in an impressive 33 on the back nine before two bogeys on the final nine holes left him with a 71 and a 140 total for sixth place.
Amateur Ralph Batican continued to hold his own against the Philippine Golf Tour's leading pros, shooting a gutsy 71 to share seventh place at 141 with Zanieboy Gialon, who also carded a one-under-par round.
Ira Alido charged back with a 69 to tie Elee Bisera (71) and Marvin Dumandan (72) at 143 with 36 holes still to play and plenty of time for the standings to change.
Several of the Tour's established stars remained well off the pace. Two-leg winner Angelo Que carded a 71 for a 145 total, the same aggregate as Reymon Jaraula, who shot 76. Jhonnel Ababa stood at 148 after a 73, while Tony Lascuña was at 149 following a 75.
Forty-four players made the cut at 153, including Batican’s fellow amateurs Marc Lu (76-152) and Jacob Rolida (78-153). Hall of Famer Frankie Miñoza, meanwhile, bounced back with a 73 to finish at 151, earning a share of 36th place.
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