Lorenzo tops qualifier; Zaragosa ranks third

MANILA, Philippines – Basti Lorenzo cracked par for the second straight day, firing a four-under-par 68 to easily gain top ranking in the match play stages of the NGAP-Globe’s Philippine Junior Amateur (Closed) championship at posh Alabang Golf Club.

Lorenzo tallied 137 for the 36-hole qualifying and drew 16th-ranked Ivan Monsalve as a first round foe after Monsalve followed up a disastrous 84 on Monday with a respectable 76 for 160.

Defending champion Rupert Zaragosa matched Lorenzo’s 68 and took third-seed with a 143 tally. He will clash with JP De Claro, who fired a 77 for 158, for a quarterfinal seat in the event also backed by Pancake House, Titleist and Golf Depot.

Mia Legaspi matched Lorenzo’s feat, firing a 70 after an opening 71 for 141 to be the girl’s Group 1 topnotcher. She clashes with Sam Martirez, the eighth seed who shot a second round 86 for 164.

Chanelle Avaricio booked the No. 2 spot with a 78 for 155 and drew seventh-seeded Dana Gonzales, who fired a 78 for 164, as a first round foe.

Raymundo Inigo and Andres Saldana both fired 70s and were Nos. 2 and 4, respectively, in centerpiece boy’s Group 1 play.

Inigo, with a 142 total, plays Aris Mata, who returned a second straight 79 for 158, for a quarterfinal berth.

Saldana, the lefty playing in his last year of junior eligibility, tallied 144 and will be Carlos Packing’s opponent. Packing is the 13th seed after a 75 for 158.

Kristopher Arevalo fired a 71 for 150 to be the boy’s Group 2 top seed. He plays Karl Tolentino, who fired an 89 for 183, in today’s first round.