MARDAN MAMAT got his putting dialed in but this time his iron play wasn’t too good and saw his three-stroke cushion shaved down to a hairline as young Miguel Tabuena came up with a tournament-best 67 on Saturday in the third round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Philippine Open at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

The 17-year-old Tabuena leaped from fifth to solo second at 210 with a scorching round featuring seven birdies, boosting his chance for his maiden Asian Tour win in only his second year as a professional. Singapore’s Mamat, however, held on with a 70.

After rounds of 71-72 that put him in fifth spot, Tabuena went hot and picked up a shot right on the first hole. He then hit back-to-back birdies from No. 3 and again on the sixth to gain the lead, albeit briefly.

That was when the group of just a little over 20—mostly family—that was following the threesome of Tabuena, Korea’s Mo Joong-kyung and US’s Ben Fox started to swell into more of a real gallery.

“It was a big help,” said Tabuena of the crowd, which is expected to be bigger in the final round on Sunday when he plays in the final group with Mamat.

Tabuena slipped back when he missed the eighth green and put his second shot some 20 feet and two-putted for bogey.

That elicited some oohs from the crowd, while there was some respectful muted applause from one hole behind as Mamat picked up another shot to regain the lead at No. 7.

The young Filipino promptly bounced back, making three birdies in a row to move to seven under, a new course record at the new East course. The previous best was 64 before the course underwent remodeling two years ago.

Hwang In-choon of Chinese Taipei also fired a 67 and rose from 43rd to joint fourth with Fox and a stroke behind Mo.

“It was my best round in a long time,” said a smiling Tabuena, who missed the cut in the Sony Open on the PGA Tour in Hawaii recently. A bogey on No. 17 kept him from regaining a share of the lead but Tabuena is fired up for the final-day showdown.

“I can’t wait for tomorrow,” said Tabuena, adding that he will try to play just the way he did on Saturday.

“I’ll just try not to think about it. Just play the same way that I’ve been playing and hopefully come out on top.

"There was a lot of pressure especially when you’re playing on home soil, but I’m happy I coped with it,” Tabuena said.

Mamat, who had earlier rounds of 69-70, had four birdies and two bogeys and stayed on track for his second victory on the Asian Tour, but felt he could have done more to hold off the opposition.

"In the second round I hit the ball good but I didn't putt it good. This time I didn't hit it good but putted good," said Mamat.

"Hopefully both will come together (in the final round)."

Fox slipped from a tie for second to joint fourth with Hwang with a 74 for a 216 total.

Mars Pucay had a 74 and shared eigth place at 218 with a big group that included Antonio Lascuna (76), who started the third round in joint second.

Angelo Que (71) and Elmer Salvador (75) were in 23rd place at 220.