Golf: Filipinas on the heels of Thais after three rounds in the Santi Cup

Desa Tapos Depok, Indonesia - The ICTSI-The Country Club squad slashed down the lead of Thailand in the third round to set-up another thrilling finish in the fourth Santi Cup of the 52nd Southeast Asia Amateur Golf Team Championships at the Emeralda Golf Club. ICTSI-TCC (656) and Thailand (651) also figured in the championship last year in Hong Kong but the Thai girls rallied and prevailed in the end by just a solitary stroke.  This time, however, it will be chance of the Filipinas to get back at their rivals. The penultimate round belonged to Jayvie Agojo, who finally found her rhythm on route to a three-under-par 69, her best score in three days.  The consistent Princess Superal returned with a decent 73 while Cyna Rodriguez contributed 76 for 218. After going one-over at the outward nine, Agojo, who will defending her Hong Kong Amateur title next week, rattled off four birdies at the back side. "I needed to score well today to give me confidence in the final," she said. Superal, the newest addition to the ICTSI squad, was one-over in 14 holes but late birdies on the 15th and 17th enabled her to wound up with a 73. Sarah Ababa had a 78 but did not count in the four-to-play, three-to-count format. The Thais, which assembled 219, got 72 each from Budsabakorn Sukapan and Supamas Sangchan and a 75 from Ornicha Konsunthea.  Chanya Prathetrat, who exploded with a 66 in the second round, bombed out with a 79. Malaysia stayed on third with 658 after a 216. "The girls are trained with this kind of situation.  I believe in them.  I believe that we can pull it [win] off," said Bong Lopez, the women's national coach. In the men's Putra Cup, Thailand continues to dominate the field with 648 after a 214.  The Philippines, which drew 74s from Rupert Zaragosa and Andres Saldana and a 79 from Jobim Carlos, dropped to sixth. In the juniors' Lion City Cup, Thailand (656) was up by 23 off the Philippines (679).  LJ Go (72), Gio Gandionco (76) and Justin Quiban (77) were the scorers. - AMD, GMA News