Tanpinco hangs on but team flounders; men side a goner?

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – Anya Tanpinco sustained her form and shot a one-under 71 but failed to draw support from Chihiro Ikeda and Regina de Guzman as the Philippines yielded the lead to a charging Thailand side in women’s golf in the 24th SEA Games at the Bonanza Golf and Country Club course in Kaoyai here yesterday.

But Ikeda, who counted for the team with a 73 in the first round, struggled with a 75 and Regina de Guzman failed to count for the second straight day with a 77.

With a 146 and a 289 aggregate, the Philippines, which paced Thailand by two at the start of the round, switched places with the host which wrested the lead with a 286 after a 141, led by Prakesh Kongkraphan’s solid three-under 69.

Indonesia remained in third with a 294 after a 147.

Tanpinco, the reigning national amateur champion, also slid in the individual race with a 141 as she trailed Kongkraphan (69-140) by one shot heading into the final round of the 54-hole championship.

The men’s squad also floundered and kissed its title-retention bid goodbye as it pooled a second straight four-over 220 and fell farther behind by 19 strokes off Thailand.

Anthony Fernando matched par 72 and Ferdie Aunzo and Mark Fernando carded identical 74s for RP’s 220 and a 54-hole haul of 469 for fourth place.

The Thais virtually wrapped up the crown with a 630 after a second straight eight-under 208 as it pulled away with a 12-shot lead over Malaysia, which assembled a 218 for a 646. Indonesia made a 647 for third after a 219. –  Nelson Beltran