Pinay golfers sweep SEA Games mints

Vientiane, Laos — The Philippines reigned supreme in women’s golf as the Filipinas dethroned Thailand from the team championship and Chihiro Ikeda captured the individual gold Monday at the Boo Young Sea Games Golf Club. Ikeda and Dottie Ardina each turned in a superb two-under-par 70 for a 140 output in the final day which gave the Philippines a 54-hole aggregate of 425, three clear of Thailand, which assembled a closing 142 for 428. The women’s team’s triumph also marked the first time that the Philippines defeated Thailand after a 14-year drought. The last time, according to the recollection of coach Bong Lopez, happened in 1995 when assistant coach Carmelette Villaroman was still playing for the squad. “It’s always satisfying to win in team play. What’s even more fulfilling was the fact that we beat an invincible team like Thailand," a very happy Lopez told GMANews.TV. The round was so great for the Philippines that even with the level 72 of Mia Piccio, the third member of the squad, the RP tally would have been enough to dispose of the Thais in the three-to-play, two-to-count format. “I told my girls to just play their games and never be intimidated by the Thais. I am very impressed because our players matched their rivals shot per shot," Lopez said. Never-say-die attitude Ikeda started rather slow. She dropped two shots on Nos. 14 and 15 but suddenly turned up the heat with birdies on Nos. 16, 17, 1 and 2. Another one on the seventh gave her that 70. “I said to myself ‘never say die’ after those two bogeys. There were so many holes to work with, anyway," said Ikeda. The 18-year-old Ikeda had to go extra three holes to beat Thai Yupaporn for the individual mint. The Filipina-Japanese made a birdie on the seventh to force the playoff. Ikeda and Yupaporn parred the first two holes. On the third, the former drained a five-footer for par then watched the latter miss a six-footer for par. “It was the first time that I was jittery. My hands were very cold before the playoff started. I’m very happy to win it," Ikeda told GMANews.TV. Yupaporn, one of the Thais’ steady players, was already ahead by four after nine holes but two bogeys did her in. “I lost to a better golfer," was all Yupaporn could say as she dropped her bogey putt on the third playoff hole. Thidapa Suwannapura carded a two-under 70 while Yupaporn contributed for Thailand ’s 142 output and 428 aggregate, good for the silver medal. Malaysia took home the bronze as Kelly Tan submitted a solid two-under 70 while Ainil Abu Bakar backed her with an even 72. Bronze for men's team In the men’s division, the Philippines copped the bronze medal behind champion Thailand and Singapore. While too much emphasis was given on coach Tommy Manotoc assuming the head coaching job, the credentials of the former professional basketball mentor was not enough to beat the Thais. Antonio Asistio II was the most consistent member of the team, carding a three-under-par 69 Monday. He made an overall three-under-par 208 to pace RP. Jhonel Ababa’s 70 and Judson Eustaquio’s 71 accounted for the country’s 210 score for an 847 total. Mhark Fernando, who might turn pro next year, had a two-over 74 but was out in the four-to-play, three-to-count format. The Thais ended with 212-845 as Wasin Sripattruanusorn made a three-under 69, Pawin Ingkhapradit had a one-under 71 and Thanyakon Khrongpha added an even par 72. They beat Singapore in a playoff. Singapore banked on the three-under 69 of Johnson Poh and the one-under 71s of Jonathan Leong and Lam Zhiquin for a 211-845. – Adrian Flores, GMANews.TV