Philippine Sports News and Updates

MANILA, Philippines – Antonio Asistio and Rufino Bayron each scored a five-over-par 76 and stood eight shots behind joint leader Riley Arp and Lion Kim at the start of the 36-hole stroke play competition of the North and South Men’s Amateur Championship at the Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

Asistio got off to a quick start of two-under after four holes on back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3 and 4. He was stymied with bogeys on Nos. 6 and 9 to end at even at the turn.

The former national team mainstay struggled more in the final nine, shooting three straight bogeys from the 11th and two more on the 16th and 18th for that 76.

Bayron, Asistio’s teammate in the Putra Cup last year, did not fair better. He already had five bogeys after 10 holes. He finally birdied the 11th but quickly crashed with two bogeys in the next three. A birdie on No. 17 somewhat saved him from going lower in the standings.

“The boys need to shoot in the 60s level to make it to the match play phase. I am confident that both of them will be able to do it," said assistant coach Joel Altea III.

Arp and Kim made identical 68s to set the pace. Three players, Christopher Carlin, David Erdy and Ravi Petel were bunched at third with 69s apiece.

• GMANews.TV
• Philippine Sports Central