ICTSI teammates Antonio Asistio, Rufino Bayron and Peter Villaber held on to the top three posts despite over par rounds while reigning national champion Mhark Fernando of Calatagan moved up to fourth with a two-over par 73 as the chase for the Putra Cup berths resumed yesterday the Riviera’s Langer course.

Asistio, who posted a one-shot lead over Bayron with an impressive seven-under 209 total at Mt. Malarayat last week, found the going tough at the difficult par 35-36 Langer layout, finishing with a five-over par 76 marred by a closing 40 that included a triple-bogey seven on No. 13. He had a 285.

But the top ICTSI bet still managed to pad his lead to two as Bayron fared even worse with a 77, his 38-39 ruined by three bogeys in the last three holes for a 287.

Villaber, six strokes behind Asistio at the start of the second half of the 108-hole elims that will select the four members of the RP squad competing in next month's Putra Cup in Thailand, had a solid 34 at the front but fumbled with two double-bogeys at the back for a 40.

But the day belonged to Fernando, who dominated the field to win the RP amateurs at Eastridge recently and shot a 73, which proved to be the day's best score under tough playing condition.