Chanelle Avaricio turned a shaky start into a brilliant second-round charge, firing a bogey-free 69 on Wednesday to seize a one-stroke lead over Apple Fudolin in the ICTSI Summit Point Championship and set up a thrilling final-round battle at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas.
Avaricio, who opened with a 75 on Tuesday, stayed patient through the first 11 holes before a birdie on No. 12 ignited her late surge. She followed with another birdie on the 13th and birdied the par-5 16th for the second straight day, closing with a 36-33 and a two-day total of 144.
“I hit more greens in regulation today compared to yesterday, so it was easier to make par today,” said Avaricio, who credited her improved iron play and putting for the turnaround.
Her late burst proved decisive as overnight co-leaders Sarah Ababa and Tiffany Lee faltered down the stretch, allowing Avaricio to move into sole possession of the lead after 36 holes.
Ababa, who held a two-shot lead after a 71 in the opening round, suffered a costly double bogey on the 18th and settled for a 75. Lee, meanwhile, appeared poised to remain in contention after playing her first 15 holes at one under for the day, but bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17 saw her finish with a second straight 73.
Both dropped to joint third at 146 alongside Seoyun Kim, who fought back with a 71.
Fudolin emerged as Avaricio’s closest challenger after a gritty 71 put her at 143, just one stroke behind. Long in search of a breakthrough, Fudolin made an aggressive start, birdieing two of her first three holes before steadying herself after a bogey-bogey skid from No. 9. She answered with a birdie on No. 13 to salvage a 35-36.
For the first time, Fudolin finds herself within striking distance of an elusive title.
Yvon Bisera matched par 72 for a 147 total and a share of seventh with Gretchen Villacencio, who carded a 74. Harmie Constantino, who was just one stroke behind Ababa after 18 holes, also slipped with a 75 to finish at 148.
The deficit, however, remains manageable heading into a final round where momentum can change in a matter of holes.
Avaricio enters Thursday’s finale with the momentum firmly on her side after producing the day’s best score and negotiating the demanding layout without a single 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,” said Avaricio.
Asked what made the difference in her second round, she 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 a stroke separating her from Fudolin and several more contenders lurking within two or three shots, Avaricio knows there is 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 when asked about her final-round game plan.
And while she wants to win another title, the Pinewoods leg winner is keeping her focus firmly on the process.
“Of course I want to win, but anything can happen tomorrow, so all I can say, I’ll do my best,” she said.
She plans to rely on the same routine and discipline that carried her through Wednesday.
“Stick to my routine, and focus on my game,” she said of how she intends to handle the pressure.
That approach could prove crucial with stronger winds forecast for Thursday and the wet Summit Point layout expected to become even more demanding.
With the leaderboard tightly packed, one hot stretch of birdies could send a challenger soaring to the top, while a single costly mistake could just as quickly pull the leader back into the pack.
Fairways and greens that already demanded precision could become even less forgiving, putting a premium on approach shots, putting and course management. In such conditions, talent alone may not be enough. The player who best manages the elements, controls her emotions, and responds to adversity could emerge with the trophy.
For Avaricio, the challenge is simple but formidable: protect her one-shot advantage without allowing the pressure of the title chase to get ahead of her.
After recovering from a disappointing opening round with a composed and aggressive 69, she has put herself in prime position.
Now, everything comes down to the final 18 holes.
With the fifth leg of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., still very much up for grabs, Summit Point is set for a finale where almost anything can happen.
