Puyat tapped for Asian Games

MANILA, Philippines - Marcel Puyat, one of the country’s rising stars, has been tapped to backstop the Philippines’ campaign in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China next month.

An incoming freshman at Stanford, Puyat will take the place of Jhonnel Ababa in the squad after the latter decided to turn pro and make the coming World Amateurs in Argentina as his last event in the ranks.

“The vision of the NGAP is to go young and develop players who can play longer for the national team,” said Tommy Manotoc, chair of the National Golf Association of the Philippines committee on national team.

Puyat, 17, will thus join former national champion Mhark Fernando, Jessie Balasabas and another teenager, Miguel Tabuena, in the squad competing against the best in the region in the quadrennial meet set Nov. 12-28.

Puyat and Tabuena, emerged top Filipino finishers at joint 19th in the second Asian Amateur Championship in Japan over the weekend.

Ababa has done his share for the national team, winning the Sabah Am and playing in several Putra Cup, Nomura Cup and Southeast Asian Games squads.