Jobim Carlos, the reigning Philippine Amateur champion, fired a two-under-par 69 Wednesday to stay well inside the circle of players shooting for Asian Tour cards at Springfield Royal Country Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Carlos used a hot finish to carve out a 37-32 round and become the best-placed Filipino in the 72-hole event that will award full cards this year.
Orlan Sumcad fired a 70 to be in 39th spot, with Charles Hong, a multiple leg winner in the local ICTSI Tour, firing a 74 to lag behind at joint 87th spot.
American Kevin McLister holds a one-stroke lead over countryman Tom Johnson after a hole-in-one spiked 64.
Quincy Quek, the former Putra Cup individual champion from Singapore who has struggled in his early years as a pro, fired a 66 to be just two shots behind. Musong R. Castillo