Mars Pucay is aiming for a title assault after closing in on Indian leader Himmat Rai at the US$1 million Iskandar Johor Open on Saturday.

Rai, who had finished his second round on Friday, continues to hold on to his lead with his two-day total of 13-under-par 131 at the Royal Johor Country Club.

The full field Asian Tour tournament heads into the third and final round on Sunday after inclement weather forced officials to reduce the event to a 54-hole stroke play tournament.

Asian Tour honorary member K.J. Choi of Korea and Australia's Darren Beck held on to their tied second positions on 132 while Chinese Taipei's Chang Tse-peng is also among the mix in fourth position on 133.

Philippines star Pucay, aiming for his maiden Asian Tour win, closed in on Rai when he added a seven-under-par 65 to his opening 69 to lie in tied fifth position alongside Thailand's Chapchai Nirat on 134.

Starting from the back nine, Pucay opened his campaign with three consecutive birdies starting from the 11^th hole. He continued his surge up the leaderboard when his chip from 20 feet found the hole for birdie on 16. He added another birdie on 18 to make the turn in 31.

Pucay kept up with his impressive form and fired another three birdies on two, three and four before dropping a shot on the fifth hole.

"My chipping and approach shots really helped with my game. The course was a bit softer after the rain yesterday and it made it easier to attack the green even when my ball was in the rough," said the 39-year-old.

Pucay, who has come close to winning on the Asian Tour on several occasions, is determined to make a title charge tomorrow.

"I have been knocking on the door for so many times so hopefully I can hit my big first. I am hitting the ball and putting well so I feel that I have a huge chance for a crack at the title," said Pucay.

Three-time Asian Tour winner Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand and Korea's Noh Seung-yul also kept their title hopes alive when they closed with a 69 and 68 respectively to lie in tied ninth position on 137.

Chinnarat credited his round to his good tee shots as he found nine fairways but rued two missed opportunities when he failed to hole two three-feet putts for birdies on holes 14 and 15.

"My tee shots gave me a chance for a good round but that two missed birdies really cost me. I feel that I still have a chance at chasing the leader but I need to keep to my game plan of finding more fairways and hitting it close to the hole," said the 20-year-old.

Meanwhile teen sensation Noh was delighted to stay on track for his second Asian Tour win after firing two chip-ins on holes seven and 10 from 10 yards.

"I am feeling confident with my tee shots but my iron shots were quite a let down. Anything can happen tomorrow so I am going to give it my best," said Noh.

Defending champion Retief Goosen of South Africa failed to make an impact and conceded that he was out of the title race after shooting a second round 70 to lie in tied 22^nd on 139.

"I think I am pretty much out of the tournament and have no chance of winning especially with the way I am playing. I will go out there tomorrow and play my best and try to improve my finish," said Goosen.

"I have been struggling and hitting the ball poorly and not getting myself into position to score. That has cost me this week," added the South African.

The cut for the third and final round was set at two-under with a total of 67 players making the final round.

Leading round two scores

131 - Himmat Rai (IND) 64-67

132 - K.J. Choi (KOR) 68-64, Darren Beck (AUS) 68-64

133 - Chang Tse-peng (TPE) 65-68

134 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-65, Mars Pucay (PHI) 69-65

135 - Kodai Ichihara (JPN) 66-69

136 - Rahil Gangjee (IND) 69-67

137 - Chan Yih-shin (TPE) 65-72, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 67-70, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 68-69, Noh Seung-Yul (KOR) 69-68, Jason Norris (AUS) 72-65

138 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 67-71, Sattaya Supupramai (THA) 69-69, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 70-68, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 69-69, Lin Wen-hong (TPE) 69-69, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 69-69, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 70-68