Defending champions Jorge Gallent and Junjun Plana left the door ajar in the fight for the overall gross title after struggling with 64 points in the 35th Mango Tee at the Alabang Country Club Thursday.

Gallent, who fired 39 points, had a bad day on the greens, settling for 31 while Plana returned with 33 as they finished 36 holes with 138 points.

"I had problems with my approach shots," rued Plana who highlighted his round with an eagle on the par-5 13th hole following a superb seven-iron approach.

Plana said the race for the overall gross crown is not over by any means.

"But our rivals need to come up with a big score to beat us," he said.

Gallent and Plana will have to wait until Saturday to know if their lead would hold.

Four teams trailed Gallent-Plana by 10 points after the completion of the first round. They are Tommy Manotoc-Abe Rosal, King Stehmeier-Erik Escalona, Dax Garcia-Ayon Sanchez and Aian Arcilla-Jet Mathay.

Garcia and Sanchez wound up with 125 after collecting 61 in the afternoon.

Moving up to second place was the pair of Francis Tueres and Don Breganza who posted 68 for 131. Breganza shot 36 while Tueres added 32.

Raymond Anthony Mendoza and Paulo Legaspi took the temporary lead in the overall net division after shooting 76 that brought their total to 150 points.

Jake Corporal and David Ong were in second spot with 145 after submitting 74.

The other leading teams after 36 holes are Jake Corporal and David Ong with 145 points in Group A, Raymond Anthony Mendoza-Paulo Legaspi with 150 points in Group B, Antonio Lozano Jr.-Ed Co with 136 in Group C, and Rodolfo Plaza-Rodolfo Plaza Jr. with 132 in Group D.

The event's presenters are Smart, Petron, San Miguel, and Jewelmer.

The Turf Company, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Philippine Business Bank/Zesto, Merry Mart and Global Ferronickel are the major sponsors.

Also supporting the Mango Tee as premium sponsors are Unilab and Jewelmer.

Hole-in-one sponsors are Auto Nation Group Inc., Volvo Cars Phils., Lexus Philippines, Citimotors, Gransportivo, Venture Motorcycle Sales Corp., G&W Clubshares and Starlux.

Hole sponsors include Ayala Land, Asian Hospital, Tipsy Pig, Cotecna, Delta Neo/El Jardin, CTBC Bank, Golfers Clubshare, GG&A Clubshare, Alog Company, IQOS, iPrudential, 515 Group, Standard Insurance, Icoon Company, City Service, Pacsports, Srixon, Golf Depot, Airport House of Wine, Ralphs Wine, 357 Boracay, Omnisource, Prestige Golf Access and Clubshares, Inc., S&R, Mamalous, Bluesmith, Barcino, Fusion Pro, Primea Discovery, Marriot Manila and Courtyard Marriot.

Daily Tribune is the event's media partner.