INQUIRER Sports

TAGAYTAY CITY, Philipines--Mars Pucay wasn't as good as he was a day ago, settling for a three-under-par 69 that allowed Thailand's Wisut Artjunawat to grab a share of the lead going into the final two rounds of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Philippines at the Midlands here.

Pucay carried the momentum of an opening-round 65 in his first nine, but stumbled a bit coming home by flubbing some pretty short putts for a 134 total, 10-under over the short layout that has been taking a beating from the field.

"It's really difficult following up such a good round like that," Pucay said, referring to Thursday, when he shot seven-under in preferred lies rules that nullified his score from standing as the new course record.

Artjunawat, the 26-year-old who won the individual crown in the 2004 Putra Cup over Malaysian ace Ben Leong in Indonesia, returned a 68 and climbed into a tie with the long-hitting Filipino as both stood two shots off new pursuers.

Antonio Lascuña and Thai teener Kiradech Aphibarnrat vaulted into serious contention after shooting identical 67s in another relatively calm day, tying for 136 totals going into the weekend of the $50,000 event serving as the second leg of the Asean Tour.

A third Thai, part of the 30-strong contingent here, was in the top five. Ronnachai Jamnong assembled a similar 67 and is three off the lead.

Reigning Philippine Open champion Angelo Que cracked par for the second straight day. The 29-year-old played good for the second consecutive round, but not going low enough to move him up the leaderboard.

The Philippines' first representative in 10 years to the British Open later this year, Que shot a 70 and remained four strokes off the pace, even as Juvic Pagunsan fired a 69 to be five down along with three other foreigners.

Rey Pagunsan, who owns the course record 67 fired in the first round of the first professional tournament held in this lay-out, matched Que's 70 and kept him company.

The halfway cut was pegged at three-over 147, and among the noted casualties were Asian Tour veterans Cookie La'O, former Philippine Open champion Cassius Casas, and 2007 Konica Pro-Am winner Edwin Estrera.

Second round scores (Filipino unless stated):
134--M. Pucay 65-69, W. Artjunawat (Tha) 66-68; 136--A. Lascuña 69-67, K. Aphibarnrat (Tha) 69-67; 137--R. Jamnong (Tha) 70-67; 138--R. Pagunsan 68-70, A. Que 68-70; 139--M. Nasim (IDN) 72-67, J. Pagunsan 70-69, M. Hussein (Mal) 70-69, S. Pongpaeow (Tha) 70-69; 140--P. Muenlek (Tha) 67-73, B. Magada 71-69; 141--P. Kemarat (Tha) 70-71; 142--J. Delariarte 70-72, C. villaroman 74-68, A. Tangkamolprasert 72-70, J. Bayron 71-71, R. Sinfuego 73-69, S. Srisanga 71-71; 143--B. Chaisri (Tha) 71-72, V. Chomchalam (Tha) 73-70, L. Eng Seng (Mal) 72-71, M. Dumandan 73-70, S. Othman (Mal) 68-75; 144--P. Jaewchamnanchao 70-74, P. Pokamnert 75-69, E. Sanchez 67-77, B. Sarmiento 74-70, C. Inparayothin 72-72; 145--R. Pactolerin 74-71, M. Dizon 73-72, O. Sumcad 74-71, N. Vichitryuthasastr (Tha) 75-70, J. Rates 72-73, E. Quiachon 71-74; 146--M. Bibat 72-74, R. Depilo 73-73, M. Manubay 76-70, D. Zarate 71-75, J. Ibrahim (INA) 75-71, S. Saedin (Mal) 76-70, P. Minoza 73-73.