Juvic Pagunsan drove well but looked uncomfortable with his new putter and settled for a one-under 71 to gain a tie of second place at the start of the PGAP Unity Cup at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo, Rizal yesterday.

The rising star of the Asian Tour on a brief break after missing the halfway cut with Frankie Miñoza in India is three shots off leader Carito Villaroman, who overcame a double-bogey start to shoot a four-under-par 68.

Villaroman, the former two-time world junior champion, set out to end a protracted slump by gunning down seven birdies to overshadow a tentative Pagunsan, whose 71 put him in a three-way tie for second with fellow Asian Tour campaigner Tony Lascuña and Elmer Salvador.

A missed-green bogey on the last hole pulled Villaroman a shot closer for the cream of local professional golf who are playing their first  big tournament after the rich The Country Club Invitational won by Pagunsan last January.

In all, only seven men conquered or matched par at the up-and-down layout on the foothills of Antipolo hills with Lino Retuerto, Ruben Sasutil and Benjie Magada four shots off the pace with 72s.    

Former amateur standout Richard Sinfuego and journeymen Ruben Sasutil and Orlan Sumcad were another shot farther adrift with 73s.

Ramil Bisera, Edgar Ababa, Edwin Arcilla and Rey Pagunsan all checked in with 74s. Danny Zarate fired a 75.*CPT

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