Casas, Saban stay on top

TAGAYTAY—Cassius Casas, a veteran seeking to rekindle his old winning ways, and Elmer Saban, a journeyman eyeing a breakthrough win, fired 2-under-par 70s yesterday to seize the lead heading into the final round of the P1 million ICTSI Splendido Classic.

Counting their opening 68s, Casas and Saban, both former caddies at Apo Golf in Davao,  have 138 aggregates and a one-stroke lead over four players, including Jay Bayron and Rey Pagunsan.

Pagunsan, who had a piece of the first-round lead also after a 68 on Wednesday, slowed down with a 71  while Bayron fired a 70. They were in a tie at 139 with American Sam Cyr, runner-up in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last week,  and Hanmil Jung of Korea, who had 67 and 68, respectively.

Dante Becierra and Rufino Bayron trailed another stroke back after a 68 and 70, respectively, even as the leaders now have one less big gun to worry about after Antonio Lascuña did not answer the starting gun for the second round.

Lascuña, Order of Merit leader and the hands-down favorite to nail a second straight win here, phoned officials yesterday morning to inform them of his withdrawal because of nagging back pains.  He was scheduled for a check-up yesterday.

Guido Van Der Valk, the Dutchman who topped the Q School this year, returned a 71 for 142 in a tie with Miguel Tabuena (71), Japanese Tomo Yoshinaga (71) and Gerald Rosales (72).

“I’m still knocking on the door (for a win),” Casas, whose last win came in 2010 at Del Monte when the final flight was disqualified, said in Filipino. “I just want to show everyone that I am still here competing.”

Joenard Rates, the fourth man in the first-round leadership jam, skied to a 75 and practically dropped out of the race at 143.

Other backers of the event are Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp, BMW and Gergia Energy Foods.