Uy, Lee join Avaricio on top
DAVAO CITY — Daniella Uy mounted a late charge, Tiffany Lee sustained her winning momentum and Chanelle Avaricio survived a costly back-nine stumble as the three-way tie for the lead set up a wide-open finish in the ICTSI South Pacific Classic on Thursday.
Uy fired a 67 highlighted by five birdies over her last seven holes, erasing a five-stroke deficit to join Lee and Avaricio at 140 in the 54-hole championship.
Lee carded a 68 to strengthen her bid for back-to-back titles following her breakthrough victory at Pueblo de Oro last week, while Avaricio salvaged an even-par 72 after late mistakes threatened to derail her round.
Yvon Bisera and Rev Alcantara stood one stroke behind at 141, while Martina Miñoza remained in contention at 142, promising a tense final-round shootout.
Uy credited her improved driving for the turnaround after struggling off the tee last week.
“I’ve been working on my swing a lot. My drives at Pueblo de Oro last week were like everywhere. So this week, I just wanted to place the ball in the fairway,” she said.
With a chance to end a lengthy spell away from serious contention, Uy vowed to concentrate on execution rather than results.
“My target score? No, I’m not gonna focus on the results. I’ll focus on my targets and on myself, but not my scores,” she said.
Lee, meanwhile, overcame an inconsistent round with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to stay level with Uy and Avaricio.
“I was playing really badly until I made two chip-ins, including one on No. 17,” said Lee, who admitted luck played a part in her late rally.
Avaricio birdied three of her first seven holes before a three-putt on No. 13 and a double bogey on No. 14 threatened to knock her out of the lead. A birdie on No. 16 helped her recover.
Bisera, playing on her home course, looms as a serious threat if she can sharpen her putting.
“I just need my putts to go in tomorrow,” she said.
Harmie Constantino and Gretchen Villacencio were at 144, while Chihiro Ikeda and amateur Brittany Tamayo stood at 146.