Fernando cousins running 1-2 in Del Monte golf

MANILA—Cousins Mark and Anthony Fernando have a lot in common: Former Philippine Amateur champions, ex-national team spearheads, and winless so far in their young professional careers.

The way they played yesterday, they could go separate ways.

Mark gunned down six birdies in a five-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead over Anthony heading into the final round of the ICTSI Del Monte Challenge in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Anthony returned a second straight 68 to move to 136, even as rookie Jessie Balasabas fired one of three bogey-free rounds for the day—also a 67—that kept him within two of the pace and in prime position to also nail a first victory.

Defending champion Cassius Casas stood at 137 after salvaging a 70 marred by four lipped-out birdie putts.

Juvic Pagunsan, was just three strokes behind after a 68, tied with former PH Open champ Elmer Salvador (68).

“I have been playing well and my putting has been okay,” Mark, who won the Riviera leg as an amateur in 2009, said in Filipino. “This is the first time that I will be going into the final round with the lead.”

Mark’s only bogey came on the 16th, a par-3 with a huge lagoon to clear, where he missed the green and failed to rescue par from about 10 feet.

In today’s final round, the Fernandos and Balasabas will make up the last flight, with Pagunsan, Salvador and Casas just a flight ahead.

Last year, Casas was declared the winner after Salvador, Pagunsan and Richard Sinfuego—the last threesome—were disqualified because of a final-hole infraction.

Two more players were within four strokes of the lead, including former PH champ Artemio Murakami, who was at 139 after a 69. Art Arbole was leading the amateur race, just three shots off—in a tie with Pagunsan and Salvador—after a second straight 69.