Thais smother field; Zaragosa takes charge

MANILA, Philippines - Thailand pooled a brilliant 16-under 200 to storm to a huge 20-shot lead over Team Philippines in girls’ division but Rupert Zaragosa wrested control in the boys’ individual play in the second round of the ASEAN Schools Golf Championships at Splendido Golf Club in Tagaytay yesterday.

Chanya Prathetrat, who didn’t count with a 73 in the opener of the four-to-play, three-to-count format event Tuesday, rattled off eight birdies for a flawless 64 while Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, who also sizzled with a 64 in the first round, and Supamas Chanachai each shot a 68 as the vaunted Thais all but wrapped the championship with a stirring 29-under 403 total.

That was 20 strokes ahead of the hosts, who could only churn out a one-under 215 for a 423 as Princess Superal carded a second straight 70 and fellow Team ICTSI mainstay Pauline del Rosario slowed down with a 72 after a 67. Daniella Uy added a 73 while Miya Legaspi had a 74 and failed to count.

Indonesia had a 223 for a 441, Malaysia had a 223 for a 446 and Singapore totaled a 462 after a 227 in the four-day championship sponsored by the Department of Education, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and Junior Golf Foundation of the Phils.

Santiwiwatthanaphong also stayed on track for a romp in the individual competition as she assembled a 12-under 132 to post a five-stroke lead over Pratherat, who had a 137 with Del Rosario a distant third at 135 in a tie with Sangchan.

Superal and Suthavee Chanachai, also of Thailand, were tied at fifth at 140, eight shots off the pace in the event serving as a preview of next month’s SEA Games in Myanmar.

Zaragosa, meanwhile, surged to the lead in their side of the event as he shot a second 70 for a 140 and a three-stroke lead over Thai Nattawat Suvajanakkorn, who wavered with a 74 for a 143 while Withcayanon Chothirunrungrueng, also of Thailand, rebounded with a three-under 69 to pool a 144.

But the Thai boys also pulled away in team play, a five-to-play, four-to-count format, with a 291 and a 579, 17 strokes ahead of Team Phl, which scored a 293 for a 596.