HONG KONG — The Philippines climbed to second place, but Hong Kong remained firmly in control halfway through the Putra Cup of the Southeast Asian Amateur Golf Team Championships at Fanling Golf Club on Wednesday.

The defending champions failed to make up any ground on the hosts, who maintained their 10-stroke advantage with 36 holes remaining.

Thailand moved to within one stroke of the Philippines, setting up a tense battle for second while Hong Kong continued to hold a commanding lead.

Bobe Salahog delivered the biggest spark for the Filipinos, knocking in four birdies on the back nine to fire a three-under-par 69. Shinichi Suzuki added a 70 and Chris Remata a 71, while Rolando Bregente’s 73 failed to count for the second straight day.

“We can still win this tournament. Our boys need to play well in the next two days. We haven’t really posted our good day yet,” said national coach Ramon Brobio, who watched over his players under the searing heat.

Salahog, who made only one bogey in the opening round, struggled early Wednesday. He sandwiched a birdie on the third hole with two bogeys to make the turn one-over.

But he came alive on the easier back nine.

Salahog birdied Nos. 10, 13, 14 and 18 to finish with a 69 and improve to four-under par, good for a share of fifth place in the individual race.

Suzuki stayed in joint second at five-under with Thailand’s Supagonchoowong Takrit, four shots behind pacesetting Jeffrey Shen of Hong Kong.

Hernandez sparkles in Lions City Cup

Elsewhere, the Philippines was also running third in the Lions City Cup and Kartini Cup, divisions reserved for players 16 years old and below.

Emil Hernandez spearheaded the Philippine campaign in the Lions City Cup with a three-under-par 69. Apollo Batican added a 73, while Vito Sarines’ 75 failed to count.

Hernandez climbed to second in the individual standings at two-under par, six shots behind Thailand’s Chuangprayoon Jessada, who carded a 67.

The Filipinos trail Thailand by 11 strokes in the team race, but Brobio refused to give up on his young charges.

“I think this team can post a good number tomorrow. Emil is playing pretty good. We haven’t seen Apollo and Vito post a good score yet. All of them are capable. They just have to execute tomorrow,” he said.

Filipinas slip in Kartini Cup

In the Kartini Cup, the Filipinas lost further ground despite a brilliant 68 from Lisa Sarines, falling 17 strokes behind the explosive Thais.

Nicole Gan produced a clutch finish, draining a pressure-packed 12-footer on the 18th to preserve an even-par card. She had one birdie against a lone bogey.

Precious Zaragosa’s 73 failed to count.

“So far, only Lisa is the only player in the team who is under par. Precious and Nicole have yet to post subpar rounds these next two days. They definitely have the game to do it,” Brobio said.

An uphill fight in Santi Cup

Thailand was also dominating the Santi Cup, with the Philippines languishing at the bottom of the standings.

Mona Sarines, who dazzled with a 67 in the opening round, slowed down with a 75, the same score posted by Tashi Balangauan. Brittany Tamayo’s 81 failed to count.

“Today wasn’t a good day for them. They are capable, but they have to play well tomorrow,” Brobio said.

The team standings:

PUTRA CUP — Hong Kong (18-under), Philippines (10-under), Thailand (9-under), Singapore (3-over), Indonesia (14-over), Malaysia (16-over)

LIONS CITY CUP — Thailand (9-under), Hong Kong (1-under), Philippines (2-over), Indonesia (6-over), Malaysia (12-over), Singapore (15-over), Myanmar (29-over)

SANTI CUP — Thailand (20-under), Hong Kong (13-under), Singapore (12-under), Malaysia (9-under), Indonesia (even par), Philippines (2-over)

KARTINI CUP — Thailand (23-under), Indonesia (11-under), Philippines (6-under), Singapore (6-under), Hong Kong (2-under), Malaysia (2-over)