Bibat joint second in Mercedes Tour

Michael Bibat shot a flawless four-under par 68 to gain a share of second, four strokes behind local bet Lam Chih Bing in the third round of the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore yesterday at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club course in Singapore.

Bibat, who scored back-to-back 70s in the first two rounds, birdied No. 4 anew, then picked up three birdies in row from No. 10 en route to a 35-33 card and a 54-hole 208.

That was four shots off Lam, who fired a 67 for a 204, with M. Sasidaran of Malaysia and Thai Pariya Junhasavasdikul joining the Filipino shotmaker in second with 68 and 73, respectively.

Juvic Pagunsan also made a 67 to move up to solo fifth with a 209.

At the nearby Tanah Merah Country Club, World Am veteran Jerson Balasabas rallied with a 69 to finish third in the Singapore Amateur Championship ruled by Thai Vasin Sripattranusorn yesterday.

Balasabas, a product of the National Caddies Open, wound up with an even 288, six strokes behind Sripattranusorn, who beat Ben Wallace (69-287) by five shots for the win that netted him a spot in the upcoming Singapore Open.

Rufino Bayron, the top ICTSI bet who trailed the leader just by one in the first two days but tumbled down with an 80 in the third, fought back with a six-under 66 but could only finish fourth with a 289 while Tonton Asistio and Ferdie Aunzo wound up tied for fifth at 291 after a 72 and a 75, respectively.

Jhonnel Ababa finished tied for 16th with a 295 after a 69, Albin Engino carded a 74 for a 298, Peter Villaber skied to an 80 for a 308 while Anthony Fernando limped home with a 78 for a 310.

Meanwhile, the second round of the rich HSBC Champions, featuring Angelo Que and some of the world’s top players, was suspended due to rains at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China. Que made a 74 and stood nine shots off Henrik Stenton of Scotland, who shot a 65 to post a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Anthony Kim.