ART ARBOLE sustained his fine play, firing a bogey-free 67 to post his personal-best 36-hole total and seize the solo lead in the second round of the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Negros Occidental Classic in Bacolod.
At eight-under 132, Arbole is a stroke ahead of Jhonnel Ababa, who carded a 68.
‘This is the first time that I was able to lead in two days. My game continues to come together – driving, irons and putting,’ Arbole said.
He refuses to look beyond the next shot.
‘I just need to stay focused . Hopefully everything comes together,’ Arbole said. ‘Play doesn’t end until Thursday, so I just tell myself to stick with what I’ve been doing.’
Arbole missed three birdie putts but made four scrambling pars at the back.
‘Marapara’s back nine is really tough,’ added Arbole, who turned pro in 2012 with a career-best Top 5 finish.
Ababa, starting on No. 10, parred his first eight holes before dropping a stroke on No. 18 for the second straight day. He recovered in style, nailing three birdies on the front nine to salvage his round and move to 133.
Still, the former Order of Merit winner remains firmly in the hunt as he tries to add another title to his résumé after edging out Guido van der Valk in a sudden-death playoff at Apo in 2024.
Jeffren Lumbo is three shots behind at 135.
Lumbo erased the bitter memory of a triple-bogey 8 on No. 18 that marred his otherwise impressive opening-round 68, firing a 67 highlighted by four straight birdies from No. 4. He is tied with van der Valk, who also carded a three-under card in another scorching day.
Lumbo is chasing a second PGT title after breaking through at South Pacific last year, while van der Valk is likewise looking to snap a long title drought.
Albin Engino carded another 68 to move into solo fifth at 136, while Clyde Mondilla also shot a 68 to join Randy Garalde (69), Russell Bautista (70), defending two-time champion Rupert Zaragosa (70) and Josh Jorge (71) in a share of sixth at 138.
The tour’s biggest names all survived the cut and advanced to the final 36 holes of the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., but they now face a sizable deficit and will need a strong Moving Day charge to get back into the thick of the title fight.
Aidric Chan shot a 69 but remained tied for 17th at 141 with Tony Lascuña, who slipped to 72, along with Ira Alido (70) and Edmar Salvador Jr. (70).
Caliraya Springs and Summit Point leg winner Angelo Que rebounded from a 73 with a 69 to join Erwin Madrileño (70), Jobim Carlos (72) and Jay Bayron (75) at 21st at 142.
Eight players caught the last bus at the cutoff score of 145: Rico Depilo (71), Kim Tae Soo (72), Jeremy Tandoy (72), Ramil Bisera (73), Boni Salahog (73), Gab Manotoc (74), Francis Morilla (75) and Kristoffer Arevalo (76).