Fernando cards 67, closes in on berth

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning national champion Mhark Fernando sizzled with a four-under par 67 and closed in on one of the four berth in the SEA Games-bound national team in the third day of the qualifier at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite yesterday.

Fernando, the top Calatagan bet, frolicked with a tournament-best 67 to grab a two-stroke lead over erstwhile leader Antonio Asistio II with a two-under 211.

Asistio, the spearhead of the ICTSI golf team, shot his second straight one-over par 72 but remained within sight of target with a 213 heading into the final round of the 72-hole elims that will select the top four players for the team vying in the SEA Games in Laos in December.

Rufino Bayron matched Fernando’s 67 to revive his hopes for a return stint with the RP team after a 76 and a 72 in the first two days.

With a 215, Bayron caught up with Jhonnel Ababa of Calatagan and teammate Peter Villaber in third just four shots off Fernando, setting the stage for a shootout in the last 18 holes of the tournament conducted by the National Golf Association of the Phils.

Ababa, in second in the first two days, fumbled with a two-over 73 while Villaber turned in a second straight 72.

Judson Eustaquio, the talented, long-hitting US-based shotmaker, failed to gain headway with a two-over 73, slipping farther back at 221, six shots off the joint third placers. Albin Engino skied to a 78 for a 226 while Dante Becierra and Dino Villanueva virtually bowed out of contention with 227 and 230 after a 73 and 78, respectively.

Meanwhile, Dave Hernandez, Mari Hechanova and Bing Bunyi took the three spots in RP team competing in the Asia-Pacific Golf Championship as they topped their separate 54-hole elims.

Hernandez finished with a 226 after a 78 while Hechanova had an 83 for a 237. Bunyi rallied with an 81 and edged erstwhile third-running Pepot Iñigo for the last spot with a 245. Iñigo limped with an 87 and wound up with a 246.