High hopes: Suzuki sizzles with 69; Sarines strikes

HONG KONG — Mona Sarines and Shinichi Suzuki provided the Philippines’ brightest moments as the country opened its Southeast Asia golf campaign with flashes of individual brilliance at Fanling Golf Club’s New Course on Saturday, despite a modest overall start in the team competitions.

Sarines fired two eagles and three birdies against two bogeys for a five-under-par 67, placing her in a tie for second in the individual standings of the Santi Cup.

In the Putra Cup, the centerpiece men’s competition, Suzuki made an eagle and seven birdies en route to a three-under-par 69. His round helped lift the Philippines to third place in the team standings, while he moved into a tie for second individually — one shot behind the Hong Kong leader.

The course was set up for low scoring, but the Filipinos struggled on the greens and failed to match the pace of their regional rivals in the team events.

The Philippines, the defending champion, stood third in the Putra Cup and Kartini Cup, and fifth in the Lions City Cup and Santi Cup.

Philippine coach Ramon Brobio remained optimistic despite the slow start.

“Well, we’re not far off. The team needs to work harder tomorrow, especially in the Putra Cup,” he said.

The Philippines trails leader Hong Kong by six points in the Putra Cup after Bobe Salahog carded a 71 and Chris Remata a 72. Rolando Bregente’s 74 did not count, with his round undermined by missed putts from inside five feet.

Salahog was flawless through 16 holes and added two birdies before dropping a shot on the 17th. Remata produced an excellent bunker shot on the final hole but missed the short putt that followed.

Brobio pointed to Hong Kong’s strong performance in the Putra Cup and Thailand’s dominance in the Kartini Cup as the main reasons for the Philippines’ early deficit.

The Filipinas combined for four-under-par in the Santi Cup but still placed fifth, four shots behind the joint leaders, Hong Kong and Singapore. Tashi Balangauan backed Sarines with a 73, while Brittany Tamayo finished with a 78 after making an eight on the final hole. Despite that, the Filipinas remained only four shots off the pace.

In the Lions City Cup, Emil Hernandez shot a 73 and Vito Sarines added a 75 as the Filipinos finished at four-over-par, 12 strokes behind Thailand. Apollo Batican lost his ball twice and failed to count with a 78.

Insang Thanatchaporn posted the day’s best score — a 62 — as Thailand opened a 10-shot lead over Indonesia in the Santi Cup, a division reserved for players 16 years old and below.

The Filipinas held third place in the event, led by Lisa Sarines’ 70 and Precious Zaragosa’s 72. Nicole Gan was one-over through 16 holes before making a four-putt — a first in her young career — on the 17th. Her 75 did not count.

“We have a lot of work to do in the next three days,” Brobio said. “I believe in my players. I think we are capable. We just have to get it together.”

He said the Philippines would need to make its move on Wednesday.

“Well, now we can’t be too conservative. We have to chase birdies tomorrow,” Brobio said.

Team standings

Putra Cup — Hong Kong, 10-under; Thailand, 8-under; Philippines, 4-under; Singapore, 3-under; Indonesia, 7-over; Malaysia, 9-over

Lions City Cup — Thailand, 8-under; Hong Kong, 1-under; Malaysia, 4-over; Philippines, 4-over; Indonesia, 6-over; Singapore, 9-over; Myanmar, 10-over

Santi Cup — Hong Kong, 8-under; Singapore, 8-under; Thailand, 7-under; Malaysia, 5-under; Philippines, 4-under; Indonesia, 3-under

Kartini Cup — Thailand, 16-under; Indonesia, 6-under; Philippines, 2-under; Singapore, 1-under; Malaysia, even par; Hong Kong, 2-over.