Golf: PHL team shoots better, but Thais still lead in Southeast Asia Amateur Championship

The ICTSI-The Country Club of the Philippines shot a better 217 as a team in the second round, even as Thailand extended its edge to six at the halfway mark of the fourth Santi Cup ladies' competition in the 52nd Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championships, Wednesday. Princess Superal once again returned a good score of one-under-par 71, highlighted by an eagle on the first hole, to lead the way. Cyna Rodriguez contributed a 72 while the 74 of either Jayvie Agojo or Sarah Ababa accounted for that 217 and 438 total at the tough Emeralda Golf Club par-72 course. The 15-year-old Superal, who had a 72 in the opener, was sharp with her eagle start.  Though she slowed down a bit with four bogeys in the next 10 holes, she worked on giving herself birdie chances in the last seven.  She came through with birdies on the 12th, 15th and 18th. "The girls put in more effort this time and that's a good sign.  We need to put in more lower numbers and cut the Thais' advantage in the third round to have a clear shot at the title," said women's national coach Bong Lopez. The defending champion Thais (432) were paced by the superb six-under 66 of Chanya Pratherat.  Budsabakorn Sukapan turned in a 73 and Supamas Sangchan added a 74 for 214 for the day.   Malaysia, which got a 68 from Michelle Koh, stayed on third place with a 218 for 442 aggregate in 36 holes. Hosts Indonesia was fourth with 222-450, followed by Singapore (226-460) and Hong Kong (224-466). In the men's Putra Cup, Thailand (208) and Singapore were on top with 434, while the Philippines (228)  and Hong Kong (224) shared the fifth spot with 460 scores.  Jobim Carlos signed for a 74 and was backstopped by Rupert Zaragosa (75) and Andrea Saldana (79). In the juniors' Lion City Cup, Gio Gandionco (72), Justin Quiban (75) and LJ Go (76) tallied 223 for 454, 14 shots behind the leader Thailand (218-440). - AMD, GMA News