Casas wrests two-shot edge

SAN MIGUEL, Bukidnon — Cassius Casas, all pumped up to get the victory that slipped off his hands the past two weeks, survived a double-bogey misadventure without a penalty on the seventh hole to score a three-under-par 69 yesterday and regain control after three rounds in the First Gentleman’s Professional Golf Circuit eighth leg here.

As erstwhile leader Elmer Salvador struggled with a wild driver all day, Casas kept his steady touch off the tee to turn in his third straight score in the 60s and wrest back the leadership with a 202 aggregate, 14 under par over the Del Monte Golf Club course. He had earlier rounds of 64 and 69.

Casas, 36, wasted two shots on a stymie in the seventh but that was the only stain in an otherwise solid effort that produced five birdies and a two-shot lead on Salvador in the tourney bankrolled by San Miguel Beer and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo with WG&A Super Ferry as the official carrier.

A day after tying the 10-year-old course record of the eminent Frankie Miñoza of 10-under 62, Salvador didn’t make himself look as good.

His driving going from bad to worse, the title-hungry Salvador could only make a single birdie, one from 24 feet on the fourth, all day with his three bogeys giving him a two-over 74 and a 204 total for 54 holes.

Amateur Romeo Jaraula stole the show with one of the two-day best 67s for the day and moved into contention as he stood tied for third place at 206 with Rey Pagunsan who put himself in the best chance to end a two-year title drought with a 71.

There were again 13 players who broke par yesterday, keeping a low-scoring trend that makes the tourney organized by the Federation of Golf Clubs Philippines, Inc. as one of the best in recent years.

Casas believes he’s ready to reverse the losing trend.

"I’m very confident with my swing and I really hope to finally become the winner tomorrow. It’s still anybody’s game but I’m glad to be giving myself a chance to get it," said Casas, the Wilson pro who ruled the second leg at Sherwood Hills.

Casas may have to worry about somebody else than Mars Pucay, the man who had beaten him for the title the past two weeks. He had lost by one in Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao and by two last week in Pueblo de Oro.

Back-to-back champion Pucay returned his best score in three days of 69 but will need a miracle to overcome the 11-stroke deficit he will face when he tees off for the final round tomorrow. Tied with him at 213 were Antonio Lascuna and Benjie Magada, the other two-leg winner this season.

"Iba siguro ang kalaban ngayon pero marami pang pwedeng mangyari," said Casas.

Casas gunned down back-to-back birdies from No. 5 but got back to even par with that double. He also birdied the ninth, the 11th and 15th to keep his best scoring performance so far in three months.

Salvador, still seeking his first victory as a pro, said he needs to improve on his driving if he is to win tomorrow: "Dalawang araw na ito, kailangan makakuha ng magandang adjustment bukas, napakaimportante ng driving sa course na ito."