Lascuna hopes to keep fiery President Invitational form

Antonio Lascuna picked up where he left off on opening day needing two more consistent rounds to finish the job in the weather-delayed Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational at the Damai Indah Golf-Bumi Serapong Damai course in Jakarta, Indonesia. Starting on the back nine, Lascuna blazed through with seven birdies in 13 holes before he tapered off with a bogey and a double bogey on No.9 to score another four-under-par 68 giving him a share of fifth with fellow Filipino Artemio Murakami.

Lascuna and Murakami each hold a two-day total of 136. The Filipinos, along with other fifth placers Australian Marcus Both, Finland’s Pasi Purhonen, Korean Kim Dae-hyun and Englishman Chris Rodgers, will enter the weekend four shots from overall leader Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand. Thaworn, a 10-time Asian Tour winner, took control with a second straight 66, highlighted by six birdies, for 132 as he overcame a one-hour suspension which left 15 players still to complete their rounds early Saturday. Korea’s Lee Sung, who was born deaf, showed a welcome return to form to move to third place in the US$400,000 event following a 67 while compatriot Ted Oh was a further shot back on 135 after a 67 as well. Among Lascuna and Murakami, it was the latter who made the better jump from 15th to eighth after shooting a flawless game which included five birdies. “I was making the long putts but somehow I wasn’t making the short ones. I think I missed two short birdie chances. The worst was on the 16th hole when I missed a three foot birdie," said Murakami, who is of Filipino-Japanese parentage. Juvic Pagunsan also made a bold move with a five-under 67 for 141. He rebounded from his 74 on Thursday and was now in 33rd. Safely within the tournament cut were Gene Bondoc (70-143) and Jay Bayron (72-143). Marvin Dumandan, at one-under after 15, will complete his round on Saturday. Already out of the running were Mike Bibat (74-144), Mars Pucay (74-147), Rey Pagunsan (75-150), and Jerome Delariarte (76-153). – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV