Avaricio takes charge with 69

LIPA CITY, Batangas — Chanelle Avaricio turned a shaky start into a brilliant second-round charge Wednesday, firing a bogey-free 69 to seize a one-stroke lead over Apple Fudolin in the ICTSI Summit Point Championship and set up a thrilling finale at Summit Point Golf and Country Club.

After opening with a 75 on Tuesday, Avaricio stayed patient through the first 11 holes before a birdie on No. 12 sparked her late surge. She followed with another on the 13th and birdied the par-5 16th for the second straight day, closing with a 36-33 and a 144 total.

“I hit more greens in regulation today compared to yesterday, so it was easier to make par today,” said Avaricio, who credited improved iron play and putting for the turnaround.

Her surge proved decisive as overnight co-leaders Sarah Ababa and Tiffany Lee stumbled down the stretch, allowing Avaricio to take sole possession of the lead after 36 holes.

Ababa, who began the day with a two-shot lead, suffered a costly double bogey on No. 18 and settled for 75. Lee, meanwhile, threatened to stay in contention after playing her first 15 holes at one under, only to bogey Nos. 16 and 17 and finish with a second straight 73.

Both dropped into a tie for third at 146 with Seoyun Kim, who battled to a 71.

Fudolin emerged as Avaricio’s closest challenger after a gritty 71 left her at 143, just one shot behind. Chasing her first title, Fudolin came out aggressively, birdieing two of her first three holes before steadying herself after back-to-back bogeys from No. 9. A birdie on No. 13 helped her salvage a 35-36.

For the first time, Fudolin finds herself within striking distance of an elusive championship.

Yvon Bisera carded a 72 for 147 and shared sixth with Gretchen Villacencio, who shot 74. Harmie Constantino, who was just one shot behind Ababa after the opening round, slipped to 148 after a 75.

Avaricio, meanwhile, heads into Thursday’s finale with momentum after posting the day’s best score without a bogey.

“Hindi ko naman naisip na bogey-free. I was really focusing on every shot. Parang I just wanna make it to the fairway, then hit the green para two putts for par. ’Yoon naman, ’yoon lang ’yong nasa isip ko,” she said.

Asked what changed in the second round, Avaricio pointed to her approach shots.

“I think ’yong second shots ko. Yeah, I was making more greens, then I was just making putts. ’Yong I had only three birdies today, so I was trying to make more, but ’di pumasok. So, I think it’s more on my second shot,” she said.

With only one stroke separating her from Fudolin and several contenders within striking distance, Avaricio knows the lead offers little room for complacency.

“I’ll focus on, you know, every shot, try not to get ahead, and, you know, hopefully more putts pumasok tomorrow,” she said.

She also knows that winning will require more than simply protecting her advantage.

“Of course I want to win, but anything can happen tomorrow, so all I can say, I’ll do my best,” she said.

Her plan is to stick to what worked Wednesday.

“Stick on my routine, and focus on my game,” Avaricio said.

That discipline could be tested by stronger winds forecast for Thursday, with the wet Summit Point layout expected to become even more demanding.

With the leaderboard tightly packed, one hot stretch could send a challenger soaring, while a single mistake could pull the leader back into the pack. In such conditions, approach shots, putting and course management will be crucial.

Avaricio has already shown she can respond to adversity. After a disappointing opening round, she bounced back with a composed 69 and put herself in prime position.

Now, she has 18 holes between herself and another championship — with Summit Point poised for a finish that could go down to the final putt.

The ICTSI Summit Point Championship is the fifth leg of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.