RP golfers fight back to stay in Putra Cup contention

KUALA LUMPUR— Filipina golfers competing in the Santi Cup are not ready throw in the white towel. Not yet. The team of Andrea Unson, Chihiro Ikeda and Dottie Ardina pooled a third-round aggregate of 221 for a total of 448 headed to the fourth round of the Putra Cup at the Royal Selangor Golf Club. Down by 11 before the second round, Unson tallied a 73 while Ikeda and Ardina carded a 74 each. Fourth member Irina Gabasa also had a 74, but was not counted in the four-to-play, three-to-count format. The national squad is now three shots down behind Thailand, which still leads the field after assembling a 229 for 445 overall. The Thais remain in control of the match, although its lead dwindled down to three. Pinrath Looboonruang paced the Thai with a 75, but she got little support from Yupaporn Kawinpakorn (77) and Pavarisa Yok Tuan (77). Host Malaysia also came through with a 221 to tie RP at third spot. Iman Nordin shot the day's best score of one-under 71 and was backed up by the 75s of Kelly Tan and Isza Ismail. Indonesia had a 228 for 462 followed by Singapore (234-464), Myanmar (235-469) and Hong Kong (240-482). "It was a total effort. Everybody knew that if we fell behind more from the Thais, it would be impossible to catch up. This day belonged to us," said national coach Bong Lopez. Unson turned in another good performance as she led the team in scoring. She maintained a one-under tab in 14 holes only to back-track to even after a bogey on No. 15. The 15-year-old parbuster missed an easy birdie try from about three feet on the 16th then had a bogey on the next hole where her second shot went past the green and into the fringe at the back. She finished with a par on the 18th. "I knew from the start that I have to contribute as much as I can because Chihiro and Dottie are a bit struggling," Unson said. Unlike in the opener, Ikeda and Ardina recovered a bit. Ikeda even had an eagle on the sixth hole, although, she made a double bogey early on. Still, it was a good round for the Filipina-Japanese, who managed only a 77 on Day One. Ardina, who did not count after a horrible 78, carded a 74 this time. It would have been one stroke less if not for a late bogey coming home. - RCJ, GMANews.TV