Casas forges ahead by 3 after a fiery 65

CASSIUS Casas rode a hot stretch bridging his two nines yesterday to fire a five-under-par 65 and wrest a three-shot lead over Elmer Salvador and Orlan Sumcad going into the final round of the P1-million ICTSI Iloilo Challenge at Sta. Barbara in Iloilo.

The former Philippine Open champion gunned down five of his six birdies in an eight-hole span starting from the eighth to complete nines of 33-32 and move on the threshold of his first win since February.

Casas now has a 202 aggregate over the charming, tree-lined layout, with Sumcad carding a 67 and Salvador a 68 to be at 205.

Antonio Lascuña shot a 68 and was five shots off the pace, even as second round co-leader Arnold Villacencio struggled to a 71 and lay another shot back.

Rico Depilo and local bet Paul Visinica were at 209 after 68s. They were the last players under par with Mark Fernando shooting a 68 to head a five-man logjam at level 210 that included Angelo Que.

Que, who is using this tournament to hone up for an Asian Tour event in Chinese Taipei next week, fired a 70. Others in the group were Rolando Marabe and Rene Menor, who shot 69s, and Ferdie Aunzo, who carded a 71.

Casas won the rich The Country Club Invitational in Laguna last February but has had a roller-coaster campaign after that, missing several cuts.

But with a three-shot lead, Casas will be one tough nut to crack, although those chasing after him know how it is to win coming from behind.

Salvador had two birdies on the front nine and made the turn at 34, but the taciturn multileg winner failed to pick up a shot on his last 14 holes despite playing most of the holes in regulation.

Sumcad is another man looking for a maiden win, while Order of Merit leader Lascuña is seeking his third victory of the season. Musong R. Castillo