Zaragoza cards 71, forces ties for lead

JAKARTA – Young power Rupert Zaragoza fired a one-under 71 in a follow-up to his even round Monday to gain a share of the individual lead and help boost the Phl men’s drive in the team event halfway through the 26th SEA Games golf competitions at the Jagorawi Golf Club in Cimmangis, West Java.

Meanwhile, Chikiro Ikeda carded an even-par 72 for joint fourth in individual play at the start of the women’s contest in the same course located in the province a three-hour away from the Indon capital.

Going into the last 36 holes, both the Phl men’s and women’s teams are within striking distance of the pacesetters.

Jobim Carlos submitted a second straight 74 while Art Arboleda improved from 77 to 74 as the Phl men pooled 219 in the day and, with a 442 total, jumped to third place, just a stroke behind the second-running Malaysians.

“We played much better than we did in the first round. We are in the running for two medals and that’s good,” said Phl delegation chief Tommy Manotoc.

Zaragoza gunned down three birdies against a bogey to tie Thai Rattanon Wannasric (68-143) and Malaysian Low Khai Jei (73-143) in the individual lead, two up on Rinaldi Adiyandono and two other Thais in Natipong Srithong and Poom Saksansin.

The Thais assembled 215 and emerged the new leaders in the team competition, eight up on the Malaysians and another stroke ahead of the Filipinos.

The hosts, the first day leaders, had a disastrous second round with no one able to break par.

Adiyandono, with a 73, emerged their best scorer with Ian Andres limping with a 77 and George G. coming in with a worse card of 81.

The Filipinas were at fourth with a 147, only five off the frontrunning Malaysians (142). The Thais were at 143 and the Singaporeans at 144.

Ikeda pieced nines of 34-38 for 72 while Andie Unson added a 75. Dottie Ardina didn’t count with a 76.