Second 70 lifts Bianca to joint 15th

MANILA, Philippines — Bianca Pagdanganan birdied the last three holes to secure a second straight one-under 70 and climb to joint 15th halfway through the Ascendant LPGA Benefitting Volunteers of America Friday at The Colony in Texas.

Pagdanganan recovered from slipups on Nos. 5 and 7 and fired three closing birdies to maintain an under-par card for the day and stay on course for a strong finish after her career-best third last week in Arkansas.

With a 140 tally, the Filipina Olympian soared nine places from 24th and trailed Korean leader Hyo Joo Kim (132 after a 68) by eight going to Round 3 of the $1.8-million event.

Dottie Ardina matched Pagdanganan’s 70 to beat the halfway cut of two-over 144 by two shots.

Ardina, who opened with a 72, tumbled to bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12 but offset them with birdies on Nos. 13, 3 and 7 to go subpar for the round.

Kim slowed down from her first-round 64 but stayed at the helm against Paraguayan rookie Sofia Garcia (134 after a 68). American Lexi Thompson (68) and French Celine Boutier (67) sat a stroke back at identical 136s.