Lascuña moves up by 3 shots after a 68

ANTIPOLO , Philippines  – Tony Lascuña put up a pair of three-birdie strings to close out both nines, hiking his lead to three shots over Jhonnel Ababa and Ira Alido with a three-under 68 in the third round of the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Flashing vintage form, Lascuna showed up fellow veteran Ferdie Aunzo and rookie Alido with his near-impeccable game in another hot, humid day at the Nicklaus layout, producing eight birdies, including three straight from Nos. 6 and 15, against a double-bogey and three bogeys.

The last, on No. 18, marred what could’ve been a solid windup for Lascuña although it enabled Ababa and the rest of his pursuers to stay within striking distance with 18 holes to play in the P3 million event sponsored by ICTSI.

“The course remains tough even in the absence of the wind,” said the 46-year-old Lascuña, citing the narrow fairways and deep ravines that could make or break one’s title bid in the event sponsored by ICTSI.

“You have to be precise off the tee since a slight mistake will cause you trouble,” he said. “I also dread the backnine since it’s an uphill stretch and I easily get weary now because of my age.”

But the Manila Masters winner at Eastridge, who ruled this event via a whopping 11-shot romp over Zanieboy Gialon and Orlan Sumcad last year, seemed not to get tired of winning as Lascuña looked fine at 10-under 203, three ahead of Ababa, who shot a 67, and Alido, who bounced back with a 68, for 206s.