Carlos tows PHL jungolfers on top of Montecillo Cup

Even with the rains hounding the players for the second day, Jobim Carlos still remained hot with his long clubs as he shot a four-under-par 68 to steer the Philippines Team A to a two-shot lead over Thailand in The Montecillo Junior Golf Team Championships at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa City, Batangas. Carlos drained seven birdies amidst the all day downpour but dropped three strokes overall. Miguel Tabuena, the Guangzhou Asian Games silver medalist in China last year, rebounded with a one-under 71 after a forgettable 75 in the opening round. Gio Gandianco counted as the team’s last scorer with 74 for 213 on Wednesday. Reigning national amateur champion Clyde Mondilla’s 75 was disregarded in the four-to-play, three-to-count format in the event organized by the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines (JGFP) in honor of founding chairman Amalia Montecillo and sanctioned by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. PHL Team A (435) now holds a two-shot lead against Thailand’s 215-437. Rattanon Warasnichan carded 71 while Somprad Rattanasuwan and Poom Saksanin each returned with 72s as the Thais played a steady game to remain in contention despite dropping off the share of the lead. In the women’s side, Philippine Team A zoomed to the opening round lead after the 73 and 75 each of Andrea Unson and Sarah Jane Ababa for a 148 aggregate. Irene Gabasa made an 83 and didn’t count for Team A. The PHL’s second unit placed second with 151, thanks to Princess Superal’s 75 and Daniella Uy’s 76. Thais Pavarisa Yoktuan was off with a 77 and Pinrath Loomboonruang struggled with a 78 for a 155 for third. Singapore placed fourth after Phoebe Tan's 80 and the 82 of Joey Poh for 162, while Chinese Taipei's Lee Chai Pai (79) and Lin Yu Yu (85) placed fifth (164). – Adrian Flores, JVP, GMA News