TARLAC — Zanieboy Gialon capped a seven-under-par 65 with a birdie to take a one-shot lead over Michael Bibat at the start of the ICTSI Luisita Championship on Tuesday.
Gialon, who reached the turn on 5-under, parred the signature par-3 17th hole, paving the way for the strong finish.
“Fairway-green lang in the next three days para tuloy-tuloy,” said Gialon, whose 65 was one stroke short of the course record set by Clyde Mondilla in 2018.
The course was vulnerable in the absence of winds as 20 players broke par.
Michael Bibat missed a share of the lead after a final-hole bogey.
He credited his fine play to his short irons and mental toughness.
“It really helped as I was able to focus on each shot,” he said.
Journeyman Rico Depilo fired a 68 for joint third with Marvin Dumandan and Korean Kim Min Seong.
‘It really helped as I was able to focus on each shot.’
Frankie Miñoza moved to solo sixth with a 69, a stroke ahead of Jhonnel Ababa, Francis Morilla and Korean Kang Chon Koo.
Tony Lascuña turned in a three-birdie, two-bogey card for a 71 as he joined the big group that includes Ferdie Aunzo, Jay Bayron, Albin Engino, Keanu Jahns, Sean Ramos, Nilo Salahog, Dino Villanueva, Japanese Atsushi Ueda, young Korean Rho Hyun Ho and Bacolod leg winner Ira Alido.
Defending champion Miguel Tabuena birdied two of the last seven holes to save a 72 for a share of 21st with Fidel Concepcion, Mars Pucay, Bonifacio Salahog and Gabriel Manotoc.
Angelo Que and Lloyd Go posted 73s for joint 27th with Jerson Balasabas, Reymon Jaraula, Rolando Marabe Jr., Richard Sinfuego, Arnold Villacencio, Japanese Gen Nagai, Korean Kim Seong Guk and Iloilo stop runaway winner Rupert Zaragosa.
Mondilla, one of the pre-tournament favorites, shot a 76 and was in danger of missing the cut.
Guido van der Valk, back-to-back winner of The Country Club Invitational, also wavered with a 74 for a share of 37th with Art Arbole, Russell Bautista, Elee Bisera and Jobim Carlos.
