From number eight in Wednesday’s first round, Ferdie Aunzo fired two-under 68 yesterday to top the list of the 32 qualifiers in the men’s division, while Anya Tanpinco continued her dominance in the ladies’ side as the 2008 Philippine Amateur Golf Championship enters the 18-hole match play phase today at the Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club in Marapara, Bacolod City.

Making waves in Malaysia recently for clinching the title in the 9th Karambunai Amateur Open, Aunzo momentarily took the back seat with his 73 in the first day but bounced back yesterday to equal the 141 total of first day leader Jessie Balasabas who registered 73 yesterday.

At the heels of the two stalwarts are John Kier Abdon and last year’s runner-up Mark Labajo with an identical 143 in the two qualifying rounds while Southwoods Erwin Vinluan found himself alongside host club bet Justin Limjap with 145, four strokes behind Aunzo and Balasabas.

Joining Limjap in the elite 32 qualifiers are six other NOGCC campaigners Jae Yang, JR Tanpinco, Chepe Dulay, Alvin Engino, Erwin Madrelino and Joeleo Torrecampo.

Aside from Balasabas and Labajo, other qualifiers from Canlubang’s stable are Mark Fernando, Paul Echavez, Zanee Boy Giaton, James Ryan Lam and Dave Hernandez.

Not be left behind are Aunzo’s ICTSI teammates defending champion Anthony Fernando, Rufino Bayron, TonTon Asistio, and Anthony Saban who can easily pull an upset along with Iloilo’s Rene Manor, Jose Marie Sinfuego, and Junie Visineca and Cebu’s Bayani Garcia and JJ Alvarez.

Also making it to the match play are Canada’s Rocky Co, MGCC’s Terrence Macatangay, Baguio’s Chester Calpotura, Fairway’s Ali Sinfuego, Del Monte’s Banny Abaño and unheralded Jaemin Koo.

Meanwhile, not being able to play in the NOGCC course for several years, , ladies’ defending champion Anya Tanpinco yesterday said she was a little bit unfamiliar with the grounds as its length has been extended and she is having some difficulty in her putting.

Despite gaining top seeding with her 145 total and five strokes ahead Cebu’s young golfer Irina Gabasa, Tanpinco said anything can happen in the match play and she can only hope for her lucky streak to continue until the final day.

“Everything is unpredictable especially in the match play and it can still be anybody’s game,” Tanpinco said.

  She added that last year’s roster in the women’s division is tougher but the NOGCC course has its own surprises that makes this year’s edition of the amateur championship doubly difficult.

Meanwhile, Cangolf’s Rolly Viray nipped former national champion Francis Gaston after 19 holes for a 1-up victory to arrange a showdown with Caloy Coscoluella for the seniors crown in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Yamaha Golf Car and Tanduay Distillers, Inc. Coscoluella held off Seve Roxas-Chua, 1-up, in the other semis encounter. *NAB

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