Asistio seizes Nomura Cup lead with fiery 67

MANILA, Philippines - Antonio Asistio II came away with a solid five-under par 67 to wrest the lead in the penultimate day of the Nomura Cup qualifier at Riviera’s Couples course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Asistio sizzled with four birdies in the last five holes as the ICTSI team stalwart completed a 35-32 round to move up from third to first, virtually assuring himself of a spot in the four-man squad competing against the best teams in the Asia-Pacific region on Sept. 15-18 in Seoul, Korea.

He had a five-round aggregate of one-under 359, two shots ahead of reigning national champion Mhark Fernando, who likewise moved closer to another stint with the national team with a 73 as he remained in second at 361.

Fernando, the top Calatagan bet and the best scorer for Team RP in the recent Putra Cup with a one-under 287 total, rallied with two birdies in the last eight holes to save a 38-35 card.

Erstwhile leader Peter Villaber, one ahead of Fernando at the start of the day, birdied No. 1 but fumbled with three double-bogeys and a bogey against two birdies the rest of the way for a four-over 76 as he tumbled down to third with a 363.

Jhonnel Ababa rallied with a 35 to salvage a 73 as he pounced on Rufino Bayron’s poor form to seize the No. 4 spot at 367 heading into the last 18 holes of the six-round elims conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Bayron, whose final round 65 carried the Philippines to third place in the recent Putra Cup, slid to fifth with a 368 after a 75 and would need to dish out a low round to regain his spot in the team.

Albin Engino made a 74 for a 374.