Kim clings to 3-shot edge; Ilas moves up

CANLUBANG – Tom Kim fended off Aniceto Mandanas’ backside charge with a 69 and held sway by three but Bernice Ilas grabbed the women’s solo lead with a two-under 70 halfway through W Express RVF Cup Amateur Open Golf Championship at Cangolf’s North course here yesterday. Kim actually pulled away from Mandanas by six with a frontside 34 but the latter struck back with a fiery closing 32 spiked by an eagle-2 on No. 16 to shoot the day’s best 68 for a 138 and move within three off the Korean, who pooled a 135.

Jonas Magcalayo shot a 70 and stayed within striking distance at 141 while sibling Jolo Magcalayo slowed down with an even 72 to drop to fourth at 142 heading to the last 36 holes of the 23rd staging of the annual event held in honor of the late golf patron and former NGAP president Rod Feliciano.

Luis Castro, who lost the Philippine Amateur crown to Kim at Riviera last month, bounced back from an opening 75 with a 69 to join Carlo Villaroman, shooting a 71, at fifth at 144 while Carlo Corpus (73) and GJ Katigbak stood at 145 and 147, respectively, and Kristoffer Arevalo also rebounded with a 69 for joint 10th with Aidric Chan, who fumbled with a 74, at 148.

Ilas, meanwhile, sizzled early with three birdies in the first 14 holes and pounced on erstwhile co-leader Harmie Constantino’s wobbly start to seize control in their side of the event with the former assembling a 36-hole 142 for a three-shot lead over the latter, who hobbled with a 73 for a 145.