TRECE MARTIREZ, Cavite, Philippines – Team Philippines continued to outclass the opposition under gray skies and moderate winds that made Sherwood Hills longer than its yardage and inched closer to ending long years of heartbreaks yesetrday in the Putra Cup golf championship.
Rico Hoey weathered the storm with a five-under 67, while Jobim Carlos and Jonathan delos Santos churned out solid back-up efforts as the Filipinos broke away further from the field with an eight-under 208 for a 14-stroke lead over Singapore after the penultimate round of the annual Southeast Asian meet.
The 17-year-old Hoey took over as the team’s anchor, firing six birdies against a bogey as Delos Santos somewhat cooled down but stayed solid with a one-under 71 after a 66 and a 69.
Carlos showed an improvement from 72 to 71 and 70 as the Philippines submitted the best day total so far – eight-under -- in the four-day championship and thus solidified its chance to end a 17-year Putra Cup title drought.
Business-like were the Filipinos that they threw away Rupert Zaragoza’s fighting 73.
At the end of the day, Team Phl showed a 631 total, comfortably ahead of closest pursuer Singapore (210-645).
“We’re in great shape. The team is playing really well and I am hoping that it would be a special day for all of us tomorrow,†said Hoey.
If ever, the Philippines would win the Putra Cup championship for the first time since sweeping the team and individual titles in Myanmar in 1996.
Malaysian star Green Day carded a second-straight 68 and caught up with Delos Santos in the lead in the individual play at 206.
Hoey rallied into contention, three shots off the pace at 209.
“I had a special day again,†said Hoey on his remarkable fightback from a disastrous opening-round of 75.
Carlos, the MVP Sports Foundation scholar at the University of San Francisco, rallied with five birdies after making his clubhouse turn at three-over.
No other team could keep up with the Filipino charge.
Singapore was the biggest threat in the day with a 210 counting Jerome Ng’s 69, Jon Woo’s 70 and Nicklaus Chiam’s 71. Marc Ong didn’t count with a 73.
Green kept his rhythm but just couldn’t get the needed support from his teammates as Malaysia dropped to third place, 17 shots behind the Filipinos.
Abel Tam tallied a 69, then came the 79 of Malaysian third man Albright Chong.
Reigning Thailand continued to struggle at fourth with a 216 with Chanachok Dejpiratanamong firing a 69, Danthai Boonma matching par and Itthipat Burunatanyarat a 75.
Meanwhile, Team Philippines climbed into a tie with Thailand in the inaugural Kartini Cup (Junior Women’s) after shooting a third round 139 on the strength of Princess Superal’s 69 and the 70 of Pauline Del Rosario for 431.
Budsabakorn Sukapan churned out a 68 and either of Parinda Phokan or Sherman Santiwiwatthanapphong’s 74 counted for Thailand’s 142.
Indonesia was at third, 16 off the pace.