SANTA ROSA, Laguna — Birdies exploded like fireworks at Sta. Elena Golf and Country Club on Saturday as Miguel Tabuena and two rivals surged to 17-under, setting the stage for a thrilling finale in the International Series Philippines presented by Bingo Plus.

Sampson Zheng, the 24-year-old Chinese rising star who honed his game in Florida, scorched the course with a dazzling 10-under-par 62, joining overnight Thai leader Sarit Suwannarut atop the leaderboard.

Then, local favorite Tabuena stormed into the mix with a 65, turning it into a three-way showdown with a pair of eagles — including a spectacular one on the par-5 16th, where he nailed a perfect five-iron approach.

“It was probably one of the best five-irons I’ve hit,” said the 31-year-old Filipino ace. His first eagle came earlier on the par-5 third, courtesy of a pure four-iron that soared to just a few feet of the pin. “They’re probably the best iron shots I’ve hit in my life,” he added.

Tabuena, who has carried the hopes of the home crowd all week, said he found himself in a rare rhythm.

“I was just cruising,” he said. “I was in a flow state, which is what I wanted to achieve from the start of the day. I didn’t want to think about the score or anyone else — just the shots in front of me.”

He also praised Sarit, who began the day with a four-shot cushion and fought hard to stay in contention. “He’s a phenomenal player — he’s been there before,” Tabuena said. “I believe it’s much harder on my end, so I’m proud of how I handled everything the past three days.”

Sarit briefly slipped out of the lead after a bogey on 13 but recovered quickly with a birdie on the next hole to rejoin the chase following a 69.

He thought Saturday’s setup was more demanding — both off the tee and around the greens.

“Ah, tough one,” he said with a grin. “I didn’t hit my driver as well as the first two days, and the pins were a little bit tougher. So I’d say overall it was solid, but not as good as I wanted. Still, there’s tomorrow to play.”

Zheng, meanwhile, was nearly flawless — an eagle and eight birdies for the round of the tournament.

“Just hit a lot of greens and made a lot of putts,” Zheng said. “I didn’t feel like I did anything super special — I just stuck to the game plan.”

The battle for the title remains wide open, with five players within five shots of the leaders.

Japanese star Yosuke Asaji, a four-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour, carded eight birdies in his last 10 holes for a brilliant 65, finishing just one shot behind. Asaji shares fourth place with South African Dean Burmester, who also signed for a 65.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar is alone in seventh at 13-under after a 66, while Australian Marc Leishman quietly moved up the board with a bogey-free 65 for 12-under.

“I’ll need a low one tomorrow, but I’ve got a chance,” said Leishman. “Hopefully I can shoot another 7-under or better and give them a bit of a run.”

As for the major champions in the field, they’ll need something extraordinary on Sunday to get into the Top 10.

Former Masters winner Charl Schwartzel was the best of the trio at 10-under after a 69, while fellow Masters champion Patrick Reed slipped to 9-under with a 71 — tied with Filipino Justin Quiban, who also posted a 69.

Angelo Que, the other Filipino who survived the cut, bogeyed three of the last six holes to settle for a 75 and 6-under total.