Ababa bounces

Jhonnel Ababa, denied of a shared view of the top with a late mishap Wednesday, rebounded with a strong start yesterday and sustained his charge to card a bogey-free five-under 66 and grab a two-stroke lead over Korean Kim Joo Hyung halfway through the ICTSI Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational here yesterday.

In a duel at the tight, tricky par-71 Club Filipino layout, Ababa opted for precision over power and proved rock solid from tee-togreen with crisp iron play, producing five birdies.

“Some fairways were tight in the opening nine so I played conservative. One mishit is costly,” said Ababa.

He actually snapped a sixmonth title spell with a threestroke victory over Jobim Carlos in the PGT Asia Forest Hills leg last month but had been unsuccessful on the PGT with his third place effort at ICTSI Negros Challenge serving as his best in the season.

But with the momentum now on his side and the course seemingly all figured out, Ababa hopes to finally nail one this week.

But a horde of aces are hot on his trail, led by the young but talented Kim, who moved in contention for a second crown with a 68 for a 137 while Jordan stayed in the hunt at 138 despite a 70. /