Phl pulls away from S’pore

TRECE MARTIREZ, Cavite , Philippines   â€“ Fil-Am shotmaker Jonathan delos Reyes dealt Sherwood Hills another beating and Team Philippines sustained the momentum of its strong Thursday start, pooling a six-under 210 to zoom to a nine-stroke lead halfway through the 53rd Putra Cup golf championship here yesterday.

On an ideal playing condition in this gem of a course south of metropolis, Delos Reyes, who sizzled with a 66 Thursday, turned in another eagle-aided, sub-par round – a 69 – with fellow Fil-Am Rico Hoey and Jobim Carlos also breaking pars as the Filipinos cut loose from a first-round tie with Singapore. 

Together with their first-round 213, the Filipinos had a 36-hole aggregate of 423, nine up on the Malaysians (214-432) led by their main man Gavin Green, who carded a day’s best of 68.

The Filipinos, in chase of a first Putra Cup title in 17 years, went nine under after their second-round 210 that also counted the 70 of Hoey and 71 of Carlos. Rupert Zaragoza didn’t count with a 73.

“We’re looking good, but our game plan remains the same. We’ll play as if we’re starting from scratch,” said non-playing captain Carito Villaroman. “We’ll not think that we’re leading the tourney.”

The Singaporeans dropped to third place as they limped to 222 after a 213 for a 435 while defending champion Thailand slipped from third to fourth after a 221 for 437.

A cause for concern is the approaching storm in the Bicol region that may bring rains and could trigger change of fortunes in the weekend play of the blue-ribbon event.

The 19-year-old Delos Reyes, NGAP’s prized find from the US NCAA, led by three over Green in the individual play of the annual Southeast Asian golf team championship.

Delos Reyes again paced Team Phl’s charge with another sparkling eagle-aided round at the 7,300-yard layout rendered defenseless by the windless day.

“We’ve really prepared for this tournament,” said Delos Reyes. “I think if we stay within our plans, we’ll be all right.”

Delos Reyes once again brandished accurate shots from tee to green, highlighting his round with an eagle on the par-5 eighth on a superb chip from the fringe.

Hoey, 17, redeemed himself from a woeful opening 75, firing away an eagle and two birdies against two bogeys while Carlos improved by a stroke from an even card, spiking his round with a birdie on the 18th.

The hosts took care of business early in Round Two, breaking away with a nine-stroke lead at the clubhouse turn.

Meanwhile, Thailand pulled away by 10 shots in the Lion City Cup (Junior Men’s) over Malaysia after drawing a 70 from Nattawat Sajavanakorn and a 72 from Puwit AnupanSuebsai for 142 and 285.

The Philippines stayed within a shot off Thailand in the Kartini Cup (Junior Women’s), pooling a similar 148 like the Thais with Princess Superal shooting a 73. Either one of the 75s of Bianca Pagdanganan and Pauline Del Rosario counted for the Filipinas, toting a two-day haul of 292.

Budsabakorn Sukapan assembled a 73 and Parinda Phokan fired a 75 for the Thais, who had a 291.

Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia tied for the lead in the Santi Cup (Women’s) with the Philippines lurking two shots behind at 298 after getting a 76 from Regina De Guzman and a 72 from Katrina Briones for 148.

The 72-hole championship is backed by the Royal & Ancient of Scotland, MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT Amateur Golf Tour, PSC, POC, Philippine Golf Foundation, DOT, Pancake House, Asia Brewery, Turf Company, Sligo, Ping, Intramachineries Doosan, Suntrust, Crimson Hotel and Golf Depot.