Abby Arevalo bucked the heat and the sleek putting surface with a superb all-around game, shooting a bogey-free three-under 68 and seizing a huge five-stroke lead over Rianne Malixi at the start of the Philippine Ladies Open at the Manila Golf Club in Makati on Tuesday.

The SEA Games team gold medalist flaunted impressive form off the mound and came away with a number of solid approach shots that produced birdies inside 12 feet on Nos. 5, 6 and 10 as she finished with a pair of 34s in her first official tournament at the tight, well-kept layout.