Casas, Saban wrest one-shot lead

TAGAYTAY, Philippines – Cassius Casas and Elmer Saban carded a pair of two-under 70s to stay on top as erstwhile co-leaders Rey Pagunsan and Jun Rates slowed down in severe condition and Tony Lascuña withdrew due to back injury in the second round of the P1 million ICTSI Splendido Classic at the Splendido Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Casas birdied Nos. 14 and 18 for the second straight day to anchor his 70 while the unheralded Saban hit three birdies against a bogey in the first 10 holes to match his fellow Davaoeño’s output for 138s.

Pagunsan missed keeping his spot at the helm with a bogey on the par-5 18th, settling for a 71 and dropping to joint third at 139 with American Samuel Cyr (68), Korean Hanmil Jung (69) and Jay Bayron (70).

With at least eight others lurking just a stroke or two behind after battling sun and rain and the wind, which forced the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. to apply the winter rules, a spirited battle for the top P200,000 purse is expected in today’s final round of the 54-hole tournament serving as the 12th leg of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

“I’m still knocking on the door. I just want to show them that I’m still here fighting,” said Casas, who used to dominate the local circuit in the early 2000s but has struggled to regain his form the last few years.

His last win came in 2010 but not on his merit but after three players were disqualified on a final hole infraction at ICTSI Del Monte.

This time, he vowed to win it fair and square.

“It’s all about focus. I will try not to get distracted either by my rivals or by the condition,” said Casas, who made just one birdie at the front on No. 2 from 10 feet but yielded the stroke with a flubbed par putt from 15 feet on No. 18 from the greenside bunker.

Rates wavered with a 75 and fell to joint 13th at 143 but a slew of others got into contention, guaranteeing a down-to-the-wire finish in this event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Lascuña, who made a 76 in the first round, opted to quit so as not to aggravate his injury.

Dante Becierra shot a 68 to move to joint seventh with Rufino Bayron, who had a 70, at 140 while Guido Van der Valk shot a 71 for a 141.