Golf: Superal forges path to top spot at Faldo Series Philippines

Gen. Trias — The never-say-die spirit of Princess Superal carried her again to the top, this time in the sixth Faldo Series Philippines Championship at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club. [Related: Andres Saldana, Pauline del Rosario lead sixth Faldo Series] Superal, after trailing by one on Tuesday, took control of the girls’ 16-under division with a total of 150 in two rounds, as she drove home an even par 72 at the super-long Faldo course. It was a big rebound for the top ICTSI bet as she is vying for one of the five slots to the Faldo Series Asia Final set in May 2014 at the beautiful Mission Hills layout in Shenzhen, China. “I played well.  I’m almost there,” said Superal. The three-day qualifier is a partnership between the Faldo Series group of six-time Major champion Nick Faldo and the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines headed by Luigi Tabuena. Pauline del Rosario, Superal’s teammate, slipped down to second with 155 after a 78. Chanelle Avaricio (77-159) maintained third place. Marvi Monsalve had virtually earned another trip at the Asia Final as she built a commanding 11-stroke advantage against Park Eun-che in the girls’ 21-under. Monsalve, who won last year in China in the same bracket of the Asia Final, had a 72 for 153.  Park was way off at 164 after an 82. Jonar Austria (76) and lefty Andres Saldana (79) finished tied atop in the boys' 21-under with similar 160s. Don Petil ballooned to an 81 for 165. Jonas Magcalayo and RamRam Roque each carded a 77 but the former still maintained pole position, 153-155, in the boys’ 18-under.  John Catalan improved to a 75 but was eight shots adrift with 160. Jets Sajulaga took control of the boys’ 16-under as he came through with a three-over-par 75 for 157. Wei Wei-gao assumed the challenger’s role with 159 after a 75.  Erstwhile front-runner Dan Cruz skied to an 84 for 161. - AMD, GMA News