By Adriano Flores

AN off-form Rey Pagunsan showed up at the Mercedes-Benz Masters Singapore as the touring pro from the Philippines limped home with a one-over-par 73, sliding down to fourth place halfway through the $60,000 tournament played in Singapore.

Unlike his previous four-under-par 68 in the initial round, Pagunsan was the exact opposite this time as he faltered with many bogey mishaps that dampened his chance of getting the top spot. Although he went down two notches in the leader board, he is still within sight of the championship title.

?I have to forget about this day and look forward to the next. It is unfortunate that my bad game came at this time,? said Pagunsan, who shared fourth place with Thai Pariya Junhasavasdikul and Malaysians S. Siva Chandran and Danny Chia.

Hometown hero Mardan Mamat now holds the leadership with a two-day aggregate 138 after he made another 69 at the Masters course of the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.

One shot behind was first-day leader and compatriot Lam Chih-Bing who made a 72 for 139.

Bunched at eighth spot with 142s were Filipino Jay Bayron (72), Thais Varut Chomchalam (73) and Wisut Artjanawat (71) and Indonesian Rory Hie (72). International Container Terminal Service Inc. amateur standout Ferdie Aunzo had a 70 for 143 for a share of 13th.

?It?s nice to put two solid rounds together and I am looking forward to having a shot at the title at the weekend,? said Mamat.

?Obviously, this is where I won the Singapore Masters in 2006 so it is an inspirational place for me where I hope to win again,? added Mamat.

 The Singaporean nailed five birdies and two bogeys. He dropped a shot on the first but quickly forgot about that and had a bogey free back nine with birdies on 11, 12 and 17.

 Mamat has partnered close friend Lam in three World Cups?in 2002, 2005 and 2006?and so it will be an exciting showdown between Singapore?s top two players for the final two rounds.

Lam, winner of last year?s Asian Masters in Thailand, was unable to produce his first-round fireworks but played a steady round with a birdie on the fifth and a dropped shot on 15.

 ?It is going to be a very competitive final two rounds which will really help to sharpen my game,? said Lam, who claimed the first event on the Mercedes-Benz Tour last year in Indonesia. 

 Lam ended in second place in this event last season behind Pariya Junhasavasdikul from Thailand.

 Pariya carded a 70 and is three off the lead.

 Singaporean amateur star Quincy Qwek added a 75 to his opening 75 and is 10 behind Mamat.