Lascuna keeps Mt. Malarayat lead

BATANGAS, Philippines—Overnight leader Antonio Lascuna held on to top spot on the third day of the rain-interrupted ICTSI Mt. Malarayat Championship on Friday.

The 40-year-old Filipino had moved to 10 under par for the tournament, two under for the day, when darkness fell leaving him with six holes of his third round still left at the Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in the Philippines.

Young Thai star Thanyakon Khrongpha, 21, was one shot behind after 17 holes, charging through the field with six birdies and one bogey. Lascuna’s playing partner and fellow Filipino Juvic Pagunsan was a shot further back.

The veteran Lascuna has just missed out on victory on the ASEAN PGA Tour many times before and will have another chance to win his first title on Saturday.

“I hit the ball really well. I only missed two greens and those were the holes I made bogey,” he said. “I need to keep playing this way and knock in a few birdie putts tomorrow.”

Completed third round scores (Filipino unless stated):

211 – Jay Bayron 76 69 66, Arnold Villacencio 72 69 70

212 – Rufino Bayron 76 69 67

213 – Elmer Salvador 75 69 69, Ebarra Quiachon 74 70 69, Atthaphon Prathummanee (THA) 70 77 66

214 – Marvin Dumandan 73 70 71, Jobim Carlos (Am) 71 70 73

215 – Pravee Visalkit (THA) 71 73 71, Anthony Fernando 73 71 71

216 – Richard Sinfuego 74 70 72, Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 71 73 72, Elmer Saban 72 72 72, Michael Bibat 74 70 72, Carito Villaroman 69 73 74