Lascuña is new ICTSI leader

LIPA CITY, — Tony Lascuña banged in a 15-foot putt on the 18th to cap a birdiebirdie windup to become the new leader, the third change in as many days, in the ICTSI Classic at Mt. Malarayat’s composite courses yesterday.

He posted a one-stroke lead over second day leader Robert Pactolerin and first round leader Arnold Villavicencio after he fired a four-under-par 68 for a three-day aggregate of 207, nine under par for the tournament.

Jay Bayron, who also shot a 68, and Alvin Engino, who had a 67, were two strokes down at 209.

It was a strong comeback for the veteran Lascuna, the Philippines’ top player on the Asian Tour last year, who had a 69 and a 70 in the last first two rounds.

Pactolerin, had padded his overnight two-shot lead over Lascuña with a birdie on No. 12 but missed the 18th green and flubbed a six-foot par bid to settle for a 71 that pout him in a tie for second with Villavicencio who recoevered with a 69 following a one-over 73 in the second round.

Bayron is also in the along with Engino, whose 67 was the day’s second best score behind the 66 of Clyde Mondilla who climbed to a tie for seventh at 212, with Korean Anthony Kim, who fired a 70, and Joenard Rates, who had a 74.

Woo Seong Bin, who started the day in joint second with fellow Korean Lee Seongki and Rates, had a 75 and slid to 10th.

Lee had a 76 to tumble to joint 11th at 214 with Randy Garalde (68), Orlan Sumcad (68), Japanese Yuta Sudo (71), Benjie Magada (71), Anthony Fernando (72), Jhonnel Ababa (72), Artemio Murakami (73), Rufino Bayron (73) amd Zanieboy Gialon (75).

Elmer Salvador, winner at ICTSI Riviera last month, stumbled with a second 73 and fell way behind at 215 in a tie with Rolando Marabe, who made a 76, while Juvic Pagunsan failed to mount a rally and settled for a 73 for joint 23rd with five others at even 216.