Quintanilla fires 71 to stay at helm

MANILA, Philippines — Grace Quintanilla birdied the eighth – her 17th hole – to rescue a level par 71 and stay at the top of women’s individual play of the Singapore Amateur Open championship, where Rolando Bregente cooled down with a 70 to now trail an Australian by three shots in the men’s division at the majestic Bukit course.

Quintanilla had three of her five bogeys coming home, and the last of her five birdies came on the par-3 8th for a 36-35 card as she takes a 138 aggregate into third round play today where a trio of pursuers led by Hong Kong China’s Hei Tung Leung will try to gain ground on the brave Filipina.

Leung had five birdies in a 68 to now be at 139, with Wirada Tawinsang of Thailand lurking another shot back after her version of the 68. Valencia Chang of the host country was the third player to shoot a 68 as she moved within six shots from starting the day nine strokes behind.

Alethea Gaccion struggled big time, accounting for an 81 as her tandem with Quintanilla slipped to 12 shots off in team play behind Leung and Xizihan Wang, who are setting the pace with an even 284 after Wang fired a second round 73.