National golfers draw tough rivals

DOHA — It will be an early clash of will and power as the Philippines drew title contenders Taiwan and Japan in the first two rounds of the golf competitions in the 15th Asian Games firing off Friday at the Doha Golf Club here.

Jay Bayron kicks off the Filipinos’ campaign against Japan’s Yuta Ikeda, Shih Chang Chan of Taiwan and Vaqas Ahmed of Pakistan, which completes the four-team flight setting out at 7 a.m. (12 noon in Manila). Michael Bibat is paired with Yuki Ito, Chen Chih Chiang and Ali Hai in the second flight while Gene Bondoc will have Naoyuki Tamura, Cheng Tsung Pan and Safdar Khan as flightmates.

Marvin Dumandan, the spearhead of the team which underwent a rigorous training program put up by ICTSI for this tournament, anchors the team’s bid against Yuki Yusamim Fu Chiang Pan and Tariq Mehmood. "They have to come up with a good start. The field is too tough, we can’t afford to relax," said national team coach Bong Lopez.

Taiwan is the defending champion in the men’s side, beating South Korea and Japan in Busan, South Korea four years ago.

The Philippines is up against 17 other teams in the men’s side while the RP ladies squad of Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez and Anya Tanpinco is among the nine squads battling for the gold in the distaff side.

Ardina, who turned 13 last Saturday and winner of at least six tournaments this year, including the Junior World, the Indonesia and Hong Kong Opens, drew Erina Hara of Japan and Kwan Chih Lu of Taiwan, while the 15-year-old Rodriguez, also a Junior World titlist, is pitted against Mika Miyazato and Ya Ni Tseng, who powered Taiwan to the Queen Sirikit title last year.

Tanpinco, who is expected to provide the needed experience and poise for the team, will play Miki Saiki and Pei Lin Yu in the 8:40 a.m. flight.

The Philippines is hard-pressed to deliver here following its 30th finish (women’s) and joint 38th place effort (men’s) in the recent World Amateurs in South Africa. Korea and Japan placed fifth in men’s and women’s, respectively, making them the teams to beat in this four-day tournament ending Monday.