Jaraula keeps lead, matches Alido’s 72

ANTIPOLO—Reymon Jaraula dealt with Ira

Alido’s unceasing jab and Clyde Mondilla’s searing strike with the poise of a seasoned campaigner, coming away of the third round skirmish unscathed and still on top by two with a 72 to zero in on the ICTSI Valley Golf Challenge crown here yesterday.

The Del Monte did pull away by five shots with a solid frontside 34 but bogeys on Nos. 10 and 18 enabled Alido, who endured a wild five-birdie, five-bogey round for his version of an even-par round at Valley South, and a charging Mondilla, who turned in a second straight 69 highlighted by an eagle on No. 7 for the second straight day, to set the stage for a furious chase for the crown worth P360,000.

“I made a good start but I struggled with my putting again at the back and missed a number of (birdie) chances, “ said Jaraula, whose even-par round and a nine-under 207 aggregate moved him 18 holes away from posting his second career victory.

“I think I need to shoot a three-under to win (again),” added Jaraula, hoping to find his (putting) touch in his biggest test since upending Tony Lascuna on the second extra hole to snare the Pueblo de Oro crown in 2019.

Ranged against Alido and Lascuna after emerging on top of a weather-suspended play