Junior golfers rule Lion City Cup; seniors, ladies second

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ junior team made up for a pair of runner-up finishes of its fancied senior and ladies squads as it ruled the Lion City Cup crown in scrambling fashion at the Royal Selangor Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday.

Jobim Carlos fired a 71 to lead RP’s closing 231 for a four-day total of 893, four ahead of Thailand, which rallied from 19 strokes down but fell short with an 897 after an even 216.

Reigning national champion Clyde Mondilla, Miggy Yee and Andres Saldana were the other members of the juniors squad, whose campaign was sanctioned by the National Golf Association of the Philippines and supported by ICTSI, Jungolf and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Meanwhile, the Philippines added another year to its Putra Cup drought as it settled for a runner-up finish behind amazing Thailand and the ladies fell short of their bid in the Santi Cup and finished second for the second straight year.

Jhonnel Ababa carded a 73, Jessie Balasabas made a 76 and Mhark Fernando turned in a 77 for a 226 as RP, which took a six-shot lead after the first round, wound up with an 880, 14 strokes behind Thailand.

The Thais also assembled a 216 and ran away with the crown with an 864 while Singapore took third place with an 884.

Miguel Tabuena, impressive with a 69 in the third round, bombed out with a 78 and failed to count for the first time.

Reigning national ladies champion Irina Gabasa matched par 72 while Dottie Ardina and Andie Unson made 75 and 76, respectively, as the ICTSI-backed RP ladies pooled a 223 and barely nipped Malaysia, which had an 894 after a 211, for runner-up honors.

Chihiro Ikeda, the reigning SEA Games individual champion, was disqualified after signing a wrong scorecard.

Thailand dominated the Santi Cup with an 882 after a 216, beating the Philippines by 11 strokes.