Mars Pucay produced a spectacular display to propel the Philippines into the third-round lead at the Fortis International Challenge on Saturday.

Playing alongside Angelo Que, Pucay hit seven birdies in the fourball better ball format as the Filipinos combined for an eight-under-par 64 to overhaul overnight leader Korea in the World Cup qualifying tournament.

Bae Sang-moon and Kim Hyung-tae slipped one stroke back after a 67 while Nigeria's Oyebanji Gboyega and Odoh Andrew Oche kept their World Cup dreams alive by staying in third place at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.

Que, who is chasing a first World Cup appearance, hailed Pucay for taking them to the top of the leaderboard on 15-under-par 201.

"I worked only in three or four holes. It was all Mars today. His irons were really good and he hit, like, 10 shots within six feet," said Que, who is a two-time Asian Tour champion.

"I made par on the fourth hole after he found water and contributed an eagle on the seventh hole and one more par on 16 when he was in trouble. I don't feel tired at all. I'm sure he's tired as he worked all day!"

With the top three teams earning tickets to November's World Cup in southern China, Italy's Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and Singaporeans Lam Chih Bing and Mardan Mamat were well in the hunt in tied fourth place on 206, one behind Nigeria.

© 2008 AFP/sid