Zaragosa new Del Monte leader after record 64
As benign conditions continued, Rupert Zaragosa on Wednesday matched the course record and home bets started putting on the heat as the P3.5 million ICTSI Del Monte Championship toasted a new leader in the pint-sized wonder after 36 holes of play.
Zaragosa gunned down nine birdies in an eight-under-par 64 for 132 to lead Bukidnon native Reymon Jaraula by two strokes as overnight leader Michael Bibat turned in a lukewarm 71 to be four shots behind like Arnold Villacencio, who salvaged a 69 as a slew pulled into contention, counting another local ace in Clyde Mondilla.
Jaraula, who finished second to Mondilla the last time the PGT made a stop here, returned a flawless 66 like the 2023 champion Mondilla as the duo put itself in position towards replicating that epic confrontation two years ago.
But they would have to chop down Zaragosa, whose only blemish in a 32-32 card took place on the par-4 11th, as the Canlubang native seeks to win back-to-back pro events for the first time in his career.
“I have a lot of good players behind me,” Zaragosa said in Filipino, with special reference to Jaraula, with whom he will make up the last group. “He is so familiar with this course. I will try not to mind his game and take care of my own in the next two rounds.”
Mondilla, the former Philippine Open champion, was joined by five others in a group that trails Zaragosa by five shots heading into the money rounds. Also there was Keanu Jahns, who shot a 69.
The soft-spoken Jaraula minced no words in saying how special winning at the layout inside the vast pineapple plantation would be, not because he can avenge a one-shot loss to Mondilla, but “it will be special because this is where I started.
“I will just focus on what I can do and accept the result,” Jaraula said.
Frankie Miñoza, the Bukidnon legend who came out of a two-year break to play, make the cut on the dot, at 145, after shooting a 76.
Bibat, after shooting a bogey-less 65 to lead on Tuesday, had three birdies against two bogeys for 136 and would to summon much of his first round brilliance to keep in pace of scorching scoring.
