A CONFIDENT Rupert Zaragosa surged to the top with a sizzling 64, homegrown contenders found their groove and an unheralded champion continued to punch above his weight as the the stage is set for a chaotic showdown in the final two rounds of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship.
At the halfway mark of the P3.5 million sixth leg of the Philippine Golf Tour at the Del Monte Golf Club Wednesday, Zaragosa took command with a two-shot lead at 12-under 132, continuing his scorching form following a dominant win in Negros Occidental last month.
‘Compared to yesterday, my irons clicked, giving me several birdie opportunities,’ said Zaragosa, who torched the course with eight birdies, including back-to-back conversions inside eight feet to cap both nines with 32s.
He shrugged off a birdie-bogey start with four birdies in seven holes at the back, then stayed sharp at the front, birdieing Nos. 2, 6, 8 and 9 in a masterclass of control and confidence.
Still, Zaragosa, whose eight-under card matched the course record set by Clyde Mondilla during his 2023 title win, isn’t looking too far ahead.
‘Kuya Reymon is on my back, I’m sure he’s well versed with the course,’ he said of local ace Reymon Jaraula. ‘But I will just focus on my own game for the next two days.’
Jaraula rediscovered his putting stroke and fired a flawless 66, climbing to solo second at 10-under 134.
The soft-spoken Bukidnon native, who narrowly lost here to Mondilla, is quietly plotting a breakthrough win on home soil.
‘I struggled with my putter yesterday but now, all’s well,’ Jaraula said.
Jaraula’s round was built on precision-six birdies inside six feet and clutch par saves under calm conditions.
Right behind him was Michael Bibat, who slipped from the lead with a 71 but birdied his final hole to tie Arnold Villacencio at 136.
A surprise winner of the Match Play Finals at The Country Club last year, Villacencio remained a wildcard in the hunt and while a second-round 69 kept him in contention, the gritty journeyman knew the task ahead is immense.
‘If I get two 68s, I’ll win, I get the chance,’ he said, still battling putting issues.
Mondilla, the former Philippine Open titlist, also finally found his rhythm with the irons, producing a six-under round that included a clutch eagle-3 on the par-five 18th.
Despite the improved ball-striking, he admits his putting still needs work.
‘I missed at least six birdie chances inside seven feet, but I made amends in the last hole,’ he said.
After a 320-yard blast off the 18th tee, he struck a 5-iron to within three feet and drained the eagle putt to close at 137, catching Jay Bayron (69), Elee Bisera (71), Yudai Nakakuki (68), Kuresh Samanodi (69), and two-leg winner Keanu Jahns (69) at fifth.
Russell Bautista also made waves with a 66, matching the 138 total of Tony Lascuña (68) and Korean contenders Taewon Ha and Chon Koo Kang, who carded 71s.
With just six strokes separating the Top 14, expect fireworks in the third round as contenders jostle for position heading into Friday’s finale.
Forty-three players made the cut set at 145, including amateur standout Ralph Batican (72-143), as well as seasoned names like Art Arbole (72), Tae Soo Kim (72), Elmer Salvador (69) and Del Monte legend Frankie Miñoza, who faltered with a 76 after a 69.