Chan, Bibat sizzle in wet test at ICTSI Bacolod Challenge

BACOLOD – Aidric Chan and Michael Bibat carded matching six-under-par 64s in contrasting styles to grab the first-round lead in the PHP 2 million ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge on Tuesday.

Despite wet conditions from intermittent sun and rain, both players handled the softened Bacolod Golf and Country Club layout with precision, patience, and poise to edge one stroke ahead of Randy Garalde.

Chan, who tied for seventh in the previous Philippine Golf Tour leg at Caliraya Springs, made a highlight-reel eagle on the par-5 15th after recovering from a wayward tee shot and draining a long putt following a 236-yard 4-iron approach.

“I luckily hit a good second shot and made a long putt,” said Chan, who fired twin 32s with five birdies against one bogey.

Still seeking redemption from missed cuts on the Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour, the 24-year-old entered the week with renewed focus after back-to-back ADT wins in Morocco alongside cousin Carl Corpus.

“I’ve been playing well and scoring decently, but unfortunately missed both cuts, so I was looking for a bounce-back this week,” said Chan.

He credited his solid start to recent work with his coach and competitor Tony Lascuña, and the competitive energy of his playing group, which included Bibat and Ryan Monsalve.

“Before I left, I had a tune-up with coach Tony—that helped a lot with my confidence and ball-striking,” he added.

“Being grouped with Mike and Ryan gave that competitive push, but we were cheering each other on, too.”

Chan said he expected low scores based on last year’s conditions and knew he needed to keep pace early.

“Maybe not necessarily from me, but I knew I had to keep up with the leaders—last year I shot 11-under and still only tied for fifth,” he said.

Bibat, 40, also bounced back from a missed cut at Caliraya and credited his bogey-free round to better preparation after carving out time from his teaching duties in Laguna.

“I haven’t had enough practice in the past, so I kind of struggled,” Bibat said.

“Teaching takes up a lot of time, and I almost always run out of chances to train—but this week I carved out time, and it showed.”

His round included birdies on Nos. 2, 5, 10, 14, 15 and 17, along with key par saves from 12 and 15 feet to preserve one of only two blemish-free cards on Day 1.

“I could’ve gone even lower,” said Bibat, who missed a short birdie putt on No. 13, “but I’m happy with how I played.”

He emphasized the importance of execution and a little luck on a softened layout that demanded control and adaptability.

“The course is gettable—you can score if you hit the right shots,” Bibat said.

“It’s about execution and a bit of luck, too—I tried to chip in one, and overshot it, but still saved par.”

Bibat said playing with rising stars was motivating.

“It’s nice to see the younger guys playing well—nakaka-inspire din,” he added.

Garalde stood just one stroke behind at 65 after making five birdies in his first 15 holes and draining four long putts to offset four missed short ones.

“My putting really clicked,” said Garalde, who is still eyeing his first PGT title.

After a bogey on No. 8, he bounced back with a birdie on the 18th to close strong.

Amateur Bobe Salahog and American Collin Wheeler shared fourth at 66, with Salahog recovering from an early bogey and Wheeler riding an early tee time and hot front nine before a closing bogey at No. 18.

At 67, four players trail by three: Monsalve, who eagled No. 15; Sean Ramos, who matched Bibat’s clean card; Caliraya Springs winner Keanu Jahns; and James Ryan Lam and John Michael Uy.

Seven players posted 68s, including Jhonnel Ababa, Ira Alido, Luis Bagtas, Fidel Concepcion, Korea’s Taewon Ha, Josh Jorge and Gerald Rosales.

Another group at 69 featured Belem Arancon, Marvin Dumandan, Tae Soo Kim, Kuresh Samanodi and Arnold Villacencio.

Pre-tournament favorites struggled in the opening round, with Lascuña and Clyde Mondilla both settling for even-par 70s alongside Rey Pagunsan and Dino Villanueva.

Defending champion Reymon Jaraula carded four birdies but slipped with five bogeys for a 71, tied for 27th with 13 others, including Angelo Que, Jay Bayron, Korea’s Ji Sung Cheon and Carl Corpus.