Que, four others share 2nd round lead at TCC

CANLUBANG, Laguna – The TCC Invitational, the country's premier pro event, is only in its second round but it is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting and closest competitions, with five players led by defending champion Angelo Que crowding the top of the standings. Que battled The Country Club (TCC) course's howling winds anew to salvage a 143 tally after a disappointing two-over-par 72 that allowed former winner Juvic Pagunsan (68), Antonio Lascuna (68), Ferdinand Aunzo (69), and Marvin Dumandan (70) to catch up with him in the P4.7M tournament. Frankie Miñoza blew his one-under in the final nine to wind up with a 73 for a 145 and a share of sixth place with amateur Andrea Unson, winner of the Philippine International Junior Golf Championships, who shot a 72. Elmer Salvador, another former champ, was in solo eighth on 72-146. Journeyman pro Jun Bernis limped home with a 75 but still hung on to a 148 total to share ninth spot with amateurs Dottie Ardina, who rebounded with a 71, and erstwhile co-leader Lovelynn Guioguio, who was off-form with a 77 under demanding conditions from the tees to the sleek greens. "The first guy to blink will lose. There will be no room for mistakes. All the guys in the Top 10 are real contenders here," said the ever-consistent Lascuna, who banked on five birdies on the last six holes, including three straight from the 16th, to card that 68. The unassuming Pagunsan, who was quiet over the past few days before the tournament, finally found a way to go under par as he chases another title and the P1.4M top prize that goes with it. "Sa wakes (finally). We've been struggling against the wind and greens, so this is definitely a morale booster for me. And with the way we are bunched together, somebody has to build a formidable lead, otherwise the game will go down to the last hole," said Pagunsan. 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, which serves as the kickoff leg of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour. Dungca stood a shot farther back at 149 after a 77 in a tie with Michael Bibat, who made a 76, while 2009 winner Artemio Murakami turned in a second straight 75 for a 150 for joint 14th with Orlan Sumcad (72). – Adrian Flores, JVP, KY, GMANews.TV