Antonio Lascuna.—CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The seasoned Antonio Lascuña gunned down seven birdies in returning a five-under-par 67 on Wednesday before settling for a share of the 36-hole lead in the P2.5-million ICTSI Lakewood Championship in Nueva Ecija where Harmie Constantino moved closer to a record fourth straight victory in the ladies event.
Starting the day three shots back and with the first round leaders struggling, Lascuña assembled nines of 33-34 for a 136 aggregate that was matched by breakthrough-seeking Art Arbole, whose 70 was highlighted by two eagles over the well-manicured layout.
“I still have it,” Lascuña said in Filipino after picking up shots on all four par-5s. He talked that way after struggling in the last three legs of the circuit. “The good thing about today’s round was my putting clicked.”
South Korea’s Rho Hyun-ho was the only player in the top 10 who failed to crack par, with a 72 leaving him two shots off the pace, tied with Rupert Zaragosa and Japan’s Ozeki Kakeru, who fired a 69 and 71, respectively.
Reymon Jaraula and Sean Ramos trail the joint leaders by a shot after shooting 65 and 67, in that order, even as Constantino leads South Korean amateur Lee Ji-won by two after shooting a 70 for a 136.
“I still have no expectations, although what I plan to do [in the final round] is hit more fairways and greens and make putts,” Constantino, who came from behind in winning her last three starts, said.
Lee fired a second straight 69, even as Florence Bisera lurked another shot back after shooting a 68, with Chihiro Ikeda four shots adrift after struggling to a 73.