Salvador bucks charging Casas, Lascuna, keeps four-shot lead

TRECE MARTIRES, Cavite, Philippines  – Elmer Salvador fended off the backside charges of fellow Davaoeños Cassius Casas and Tony Lascuna with his own late birdies as he salvaged a two-under 70 and kept a four-stroke lead in the third round of the P2.5 million ICTSI Sherwood Hills Class here yesterday.

Salvador birdied two of the first five holes to stretch his overnight five-shot lead to seven but went on a rollercoaster ride midway through in the another punishing day at Sherwood Hills, needing to birdie Nos. 16 and 17 to secure a 35-35 card and remain on top with a nine-under 207.

But he found himself threatened by two veteran campaigners seeking an end to a long title drought and chasing the top P450,000 purse in the 72-hole championship serving as the third leg of the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour.

Casas went on a birdie rampage at back for a 32 and a 68 as he assumed the challenger’s role at 211 while Lascuna matched Casas’ backside rally and finished with a 69 for a 212 to stay in the title hunt in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Salvador, who annexed a Tour record 12-shot win over Artemio Murakami and Mars Pucay here last year, still led by four heading to the final 18 holes. But with Casas and Lascuna crowding him in the championship flight today, things could either turn for the better or worse for the 40-year-old defending champion.

“I will just play my game and try to stay focused. Cassius and Tony are two great players who can score low at any given day. So I must also play well to beat them,” said Salvador, who actually pulled away from the pack with two birdies in the first five holes.

But he went on a rollercoaster ride with a bogey-birdie-bogey stint from No. 6 then made two bogeys against a birdie in the first six holes at the back before birdying Nos. 16 and 17.

Salvador earlier fended off the charge of rookie pro Zanie Boy Gialon, who held his own against Jay Bayron and Salvador to fire a 34 at the front and move within four. But he succumbed to pressure at the back, making two double bogeys and three bogeys without a birdie to show for a 43 and a 77. He tumbled from joint second to solo ninth at 219, eight shots adrift.

“It’s a big lead but I’ll do my best. I just need a good start and some luck,” said Casas, who last won two years ago at Del Monte when three players were disqualified on a final hole infraction.

Casas reeled farther back with a bogey on No. 6 but birdied two of the next four holes, dropped a shot on No. 11 but went on a birdie spree on Nos. 12, 15, 16 and 18 to put himself in contention.

In contrast, Miguel Tabuena, who trailed Salvador by six after a 72-71 halfway through the event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc., pulled out of the title race as he withdrew due to fever, cutting short his bid for a second crown after topping the circuit’s kickoff leg at Splendido for his maiden victory.

Jun Bernis, the former national champion, also shot a 69 but stood too far behind at 216 in a tie with Charles Hong, who matched par 72, and Bayron, who faded with a 74.

Joenard Rates matched Casas’ day’s best score of 68 as he moved up to solo seventh with a 217 while LJ Go grabbed the lead in the amateur side with a solid 71 for a solo eighth at 218.