DAVAO CITY — Battling the blistering heat and the mounting pressure of a possible lead surge, Russell Bautista held his ground with steely resolve and a fighter’s heart, fashioning a superb five-under-par 67 to surge past Jeffren Lumbo and into the lead of the ICTSI South Pacific Classic here on Thursday.

From enduring Wednesday’s wet, soggy grind to surviving Thursday’s searing conditions, Bautista showed the maturity and patience of a seasoned campaigner.

Starting the day three shots behind, he methodically carved out a bogey-free six-under card through 17 holes, climbing steadily up the leaderboard.

 Then came the only blemish — a three-putt bogey on the 18th that slightly tempered what could have been a career-defining round for the Tuburan, Cebu native.

Still, his five-under total and a 54-hole aggregate of nine-under 207 proved more than enough to propel him past two-day leader Lumbo and the equally surging Ramil Bisera, giving him a two-shot cushion heading into the final round.

It was a commanding yet unlikely position for Bautista — one that thrust him from the shadows of anonymity into the tournament spotlight.

“I didn’t expect to take the lead because all of the good golfers, my idols, are here,” Bautista admitted, naming among them the formidable Angelo Que, who had swept the first two legs of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Bisera eagled the par-5 No. 12 en route to a solid 67, matching Bautista’s output and seizing solo second at 209. Lumbo, who had held the lead until Bautista drained his fourth birdie on No. 12, slipped to third at 211 after carding a 74.

Guido van der Valk made a late surge, firing three birdies in the last four holes for a 68 that lifted him to fourth at 212. Clyde Mondilla also made his move, eagling No. 3 and adding six birdies to offset two bogeys for a 66, climbing into a share of fifth at 213 with Kuresh Samanodi and Jaehyun Jung, who turned in 68 and 72, respectively.

Que and Marvin Dumandan matched 71s to tie for ninth at 214, while Kristoffer Arevalo rebounded with a 68 to join Keanu Jahns (72), Michael Bibat (73), and Ryan Monsalve (76) in a share of 11th place.

For a player who had yet to taste victory on the Philippine Golf Tour since 2023, Bautista’s poise was as remarkable as his ball-striking. His game plan was simple, almost disarmingly so — fairways and greens, and take the birdie chances when they come.

“I just went for fairways and greens. If there’s a chance to putt, much better,” he said, downplaying what was arguably the round of his young career.

Through 18 holes, Bautista hit every fairway and nearly all greens in regulation, a testament to his control and focus. He wielded his putter with confidence despite logging 32 putts, a mix of missed opportunities and timely par saves that kept his scorecard clean until the final green.

Now, as he stands on the brink of a breakthrough victory, Bautista knows the biggest battle will be fought not against the course or his rivals — but within himself.