Japan hung tough at the top, Singapore got another huge boost from James Leow and South Korea and New Zealand made it strictly a four-way race for the 29th Nomura Cup with defending champion Thailand too far off and the only shot left for host Philippines being one to salvage respect.
The Japanese pooled a third round five-under-par 139 for 413 on Thursday under intense heat at Manila Southwoods’ well-manicured Masters layout and will take a three-shot lead over Leow and the Singaporeans into the final round even as the young Filipinos failed to budge out of ninth spot after a 143 now has them 22 shots off the lead.
Preparing for an Asian Tour career, the 25-year-old Leow chalked up a second six-under-par 66 in three days, grabbing the individual race lead with a 204 aggregate while boosting the Singaporeans to a day-best 135.
The Koreans, meanwhile, slowed down with a 141 to be another two shots behind, with the Kiwis assembling a 138 to mathematically stay in the hunt six strokes behind.
Rookie Coby Rolida birdied his last two holes for a 70 and Kristoffer Arevalo accounted for a 73 as the Filipinos accounted for 143.
—MUSONG R. CASTILLO
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