Juvic joins Ikeda at helm; Que joint third

MANILA, Philippines — Juvic Pagunsan recovered from a rollercoaster frontside stint with a three-birdie binge at the back, firing a second straight three-under 69 and forcing a tie with Yuta Ikeda after three rounds of the TOP Cup Tokai Classic at the Miyoshi Country Club West Course in Aichi, Japan yesterday.

With a 12-under 204, the smooth-swinging Filipino shotmaker moved in the threshold of a breakthrough victory on the Japan PGA Tour, joining Ikeda at the helm after the local ace shot a third straight 68.

Angelo Que matched Pagunsan’s closing 33 to turn in his own version of a 68 for joint third with Atomu Shigenaga, who also carded a four-under card, at 205, just one stroke adrift of the joint leaders.

Over in the Asian Tour’s Mercuries Masters in Taiwan, Miguel Tabuena rebounded from a woeful second round 77 with an eagle-spike 71-216, five strokes behind new solo leader Adilson da Silva of Brazil (70-211).