BUKIDNON – A confident Rupert Zaragosa surged to the top with a sizzling 64, homegrown contenders found their groove, and an unheralded champion continued to punch above his weight – all setting the stage for a chaotic showdown in the final two rounds of the ICTSI Del Monte Championship.

At the halfway mark of the P3.5 million sixth leg of the Philippine Golf Tour at the Del Monte Golf Club here Wednesday, Oct. 15, Zaragosa took command with a two-shot lead at 12-under 132, continuing his scorching form following a dominant win in Negros Occidental last month.

“Compared to yesterday, my irons clicked, giving me several birdie opportunities,” said Zaragosa, who torched the course with eight birdies, including back-to-back conversions inside eight feet to cap both nines with 32s.

He shrugged off a birdie-bogey start with four birdies in seven holes at the back, then stayed sharp at the front, birdieing Nos. 2, 6, 8 and 9 in a masterclass of control and confidence.

Still, Zaragosa, whose eight-under card matched the course record set by Clyde Mondilla during his 2023 title win, isn’t looking too far ahead.

“Nasa likod ko si kuya Reymon, I’m sure kabisado niya ang course,” he said of local ace Reymon Jaraula. “Pero hindi ko na lang iintindihin ang laro ng iba. I will just focus on my own for the next two days.”

Indeed, Del Monte’s own are lurking.

Jaraula rediscovered his putting stroke and fired a flawless 66, climbing to solo second at 10-under 134. The soft-spoken Bukidnon native, who narrowly lost here to Mondilla, is quietly plotting a breakthrough win on home soil.

Jaraula’s round was built on precision – six birdies inside six feet and clutch par saves under calm conditions. “Importante na pamilyar ka dito sa course na ‘to. Mas maganda kung mananalo ako kasi dito ako nag-umpisa,” he added.

Right behind him is Michael Bibat, who slipped from the lead with a 71 but birdied his final hole to tie Arnold Villacencio at 136.

Forty-three players made the cut set at 145, including amateur standout Ralph Batican (72-143), as well as seasoned names like Art Arbole (72), Tae Soo Kim (72), Elmer Salvador (69) and Del Monte legend Frankie Miñoza, who faltered with a 76 after a 69.

Meanwhile, Chanelle Avaricio held on to a precarious one-shot lead despite a grinding even-par 72, as Daniella Uy and Sarah Ababa closed in with gutsy rounds to set up a thrilling three-way battle heading into the final round in the distaff side.

Avaricio, who lit up the course with a flawless 67 on Tuesday, Oct. 14, struggled with her approach shots in Round 2, limiting her birdie chances and forcing her to lean on a sharp short game to salvage crucial pars.

“My driving was good but I struggled with my second shots. I also had difficulties with my putting,” said Avaricio, after stringing together 18 pars in a gritty round that kept her on top at 139.

Uy, taking a break from the Taiwan tour, opted for a conservative approach on the tight, tree-lined layout, carding a 71 highlighted by two birdies and a lone bogey. Her steady play placed her just a stroke back at 140, setting up a compelling duel with Avaricio.

Unlike the top two, Ababa went on the offensive, firing four birdies against two bogeys for a 70, pulling within two shots at 141 and putting herself firmly in the title hunt in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.