DAVAO CITY — Marvin Dumandan stormed ahead in a startling result to a wild third round battle for survival on South Pacific's treacherous surface Thursday, driving past erstwhile joint leaders Justin Quiban and Nilo Salahog with a 72 in the third round of the ICTSI South Pacific Classic.

Dumandan's even-par round fashioned out in another scorching condition at the South Pacific course whose greens demand more than skills came as a big surprise for an output as well as for a player to lead a star-studded field.

But the Riviera pro was just as happy as the rest to survive the ordeal — and happier to get the view from the top for the first time in a long, long while.

"I've never been in the lead after scoring a win in the 2009 Apo Classic," said Dumandan, whose quiet one-birdie, one-bogey card thrust him into the lead at seven-under 209 that included rounds of 69-68.

"I missed being on top and I hope it continues," added the big-hitting shotmaker, who actually often stands out from among his peers with his bright-colored golf attires.

Dumandan maintained he'll be stepping on the first tee Friday sans any pressure, saying: "There's no reason to get pressured. I just missed this spot."

With solid driving, Quiban also yearns to regain his place on top after the two-time Philippine Golf Tour and PGT Asia champion yielded it on poor stint on the greens that led to a 75 marred by three-putt miscues.

But the Asian Tour campaigner remained just a stroke behind Dumandan at 210 in a tie with a surging local bet Elee Bisera, who fired a 70, as the title chase in the P2 million championship turns into a survival of the fittest on one of Sta. Lucia Realty's top championship courses.

Cebu-based Japanese Gen Nagai likewise gave himself a shot for a maiden win with a second straight 70 he spiked with a second straight eagle on the par-5 No. 2 as he tied Salahog, who floundered with a 76, at 211, just two strokes off the pace.

Salahog also hit an eagle on No. 12 but made five bogeys at the back for a 37-39 that came after back-to-back sterling rounds of 67-68.