Lascuna 2 adrift in ASEAN PGA

MANILA, Philippines - Tony Lascuna birdied the last two holes for the second straight day and salvaged a round of 71 but dropped two strokes behind midway through ASEAN PGA Golf Tour’s Negeri Sembilan Masters Invitational in Seremban, Malaysia yesterday.

Lascuna, who birdied the last three holes at resumption of the rain-suspended first round to fire a 66 and trail joint leaders Airil Rizman of Malaysia and Thai Atthaphon Prathummanee by one, slowed down with a two-bogey, one-birdie stint after 16 holes. But he made clutch putts for birdies in the last two for a 71 and a 36-hole total of seven-under 137.

That was two strokes behind Thai Varut Chomchala, who shot a three-under 69 to wrest the solo at 135, one shot ahead of compatriot Tepphatud Sanawong, who sizzled with a 67 for a 136 heading into the weekend play of the $165,000 tournament serving as the fourth leg of the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Joining Lascuna in third are Malaysians Danny Chia, who also made a 71, and Shaaban Hussin, who fired a 69.

Juvic Pagunsan and Mars Pucay, who both shot 69s in the first round, were still playing at presstime along with Angelo Que and Artemio Murakami, who both carded 70s Thursday.

Marvin Dumandan made a 70 for a 140 while Anthony Fernando matched par for the second straight day for a 144.

The other Filipino bets, however, were in danger of missing the cut with Antonio Asistio II limping with a 76 for a 146, Carl Santos-Ocampo hobbling with a 77 for a 147 in a tie with Rufino Bayron, who had a 74, and Miguel Tabuena carding a 74 for a 149.