Lascuña, Quiban seize lead; ailing Tabuena quits

TARLAC, Philippines – Showing he’s more than ready to play with the big boys, debuting Justin Quiban turned in a flawless, course record-tying round of seven-under 65 to share the lead with veteran Tony Lascuña as erstwhile leader Erwin Arcillas fumbled with a 79 and fancied Miguel Tabuena withdrew due to a bad back midway through the rich ICTSI Luisita Championship here yesterday.

The 20-year-old Quiban strongly served notice of his presence as a promising upstart by taming the par-72 Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed course with bogey-free nines of 33 at the back and 32 that fueled his blazing charge after an opening 71.

Quiban carved his name in the record books of Luisita as he equaled the mark at the 7,042-yard layout set by now retired Danny delos Santos way back on April 30, 1988.

“I’m still at that stage where I’m testing my skills (against the Tour veterans) but overall, I’m happy with my performance so far,” said Quiban, who turned pro after leading Manila Southwoods to a second straight Philippine Airlines Interclub men’s title three weeks ago.

The former national team mainstay carded an eight-under 136 after 36 holes and joined former three-time Order of Merit winner Lascuña, who also turned in a solid 66, at the helm. The duo stood three strokes ahead of Japanese Toru Nakajima, who submitted a 68 for solo third, and four shots adrift Angelo Que (71), Clyde Mondilla (69) and Albin Engino (69) as familiar faces snatched the spotlight from fading overnight leader Arcillas.

After a sizzling 66, Arcillas stumbled and limped with a seven-over 79 to tumble down to joint 22nd heading to the last 36 holes of the P3.5 million event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

The chase for the top plum will continue without one of the favorites, 2015 OOM titlist Tabuena, who pulled out after three holes due to a lower left back injury.

“I feel pain shooting up every time I swing so I decided to withdraw. I don’t wanna risk aggravating it,” said Tabuena, who shot a bogey-free 70 in the first round and even birdied No. 12 after a par-par start before calling it quits.

Quiban holed a pair of 8-footers sandwiching a 20-foot sidehill putt in a three-birdie binge in his first six holes to get things going, knocking down four more birdies heading back to the clubhouse to complete an outstanding round.

The only semblance of trouble Quiban encountered was in the opening 10th hole, where he landed on the sand trap but managed to wiggle out and card a par there.

Lurking in joint fourth at the start of the day, Lascuña made his move and birdied four of the last seven holes to so far ahead.

“I actually didn’t start well and only got my timing by the third hole,” said Lascuña, who placed his drive on the bunker in No. 1 and missed the green on No. 2 but managed to save par both times.

The 66 was actually Lascuña’s best round at Luisita ever.

“I always have difficulty with the speed of the greens here. Hopefully I can do better from now on,” said the 45-year-old Lascuña.

Nakajima, who edged Jay Bayron in a playoff to win the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship in 2013, charged home with three birdies in the last six holes at the front to put himself in title contention in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion.

Que, the former three-time Asian Tour winner who had looked forward to a duel with fellow Philippine Open champion Tabuena, now will have to contend with Mondilla and Engino even as Rufino Bayron shot a 71 for solo seventh at 141.

Orlan Sumcad and Rico Depilo both put in second straight 71s for joint eighth at 142 while Canadian Rick Gibson rebounded from an opening 75 with a four-under 68, highlighted by three straight birdies from No. 14, for a 143 for a share of 10th with Frankie Miñoza, who made a 71,

Dante Becierra and Rolando Marabe Jr., who opened with 77s, fought back with a pair of 70s to salvage spots in the 40-plus ties field, which made the cut at 147, including American Sam Ayotte (72), Korean Park Min Ung (74), Joenard Rates (75) and Aussie Kevin Marques (76).

Among those who missed the last 36 holes of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. were former leg winners Marvin Dumandan (71-148), Mars Pucay (74-148) and Mhark Fernando (75-148), fancied rookie amateur Jobim Carlos (71-148), Robert Pactolerin (74-150) and Arnold Villacencio (75-150).

The P3.5 million tournament is sponsored by International Container Terminal Services Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. It is backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion.