By Musong Castillo

Juvic Pagunsan was near flawless in shooting a five-under-par 63 today to take a two-stroke lead over Orlan Sumcad and Elmer Salvador in the P1 million PGAP Challenge at Camp Aguinaldo.

The former caddy at Binitin in Bacolod, who is emerging as one of the stars of the Asian Tour, gunned down six birdies over the wet and muddy military layout to total 129 with 18 holes to play.

Sumcad, the 32-year-old who held the first-round lead with his version of a 63 on Tuesday, skied to a 69 after failing to judge his short game well. He fell into a second place tie with Salvador, who churned out a 65.

Former Philippine Open champion Cassius Casas also struggled, limping home with a 69 to be at 134, tied with obscure Ibarra Quiachon, who fired a 70.

The cut was pegged at 140 and among the notables who failed to advance were Benjie Magada and Juanito Pagunsan, Juvic’s father.

A cool P300,000 awaits the winner of this event also being backed by Kim Yung-ho, Kim Koo-sik and Col. Reynaldo Ochosa, the general manager of Camp Aguinaldo. Second place is worth P110,000 and third P75,000.

Veteran Ruben Sasutil, after a 66, stood six shots off the lead at 135 like Randy Garalde (70) and Mario Manubay, who won the RP Open more than a decade back, who fired a 66.

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