Fighting spirit: Brobio not raising white flag

Fighting spirit: Brobio not raising white flag | Daily Tribune

Shinichi Suzuki mixed four birdies with four bogeys for a 70, while Chris Remata made just one birdie against two bogeys for 71. Bobe Salahog, who led the team’s scoring in the second round, struggled coming home, making two birdies against three bogeys for another 71.

Hong Kong remained firmly atop the leaderboard at 22-under after a 4-under round, while Thailand surged into second with a 7-under effort.

The result left the Philippines with ground to make up in its bid to defend the Putra Cup title it won on home soil last year.

“We actually struggled on the greens today,” said national coach Ramon Brobio. “We were not converting on opportunities out there.”

Brobio also pointed to Fanling’s difficult pin placements, where an approach that finishes on the wrong side of the hole can quickly turn into a costly mistake.

“If you place your ball on the wrong side of the hole, you are exposing yourself in a difficult situation,” he said.

The coach said the Filipinos must sharpen their approach shots if they are to mount a final-round charge.

Ten shots behind Hong Kong, Brobio refused to concede.

“We need to post around 15-under tomorrow,” he said. “I believe our players can do it.”

The Philippines also remained third in both the Lions City Cup and Kartini Cup, events featuring players 16 and under.

In the Lions City Cup, Vito Sarines survived a roller-coaster round with a 70, while Apollo Batican finally counted for the team with a 71. Emil Hernandez’s 73 did not count.

Thailand took control at 8-under, 10 shots ahead of Hong Kong.

In the Kartini Cup, Nicole Gan and Lisa Sarines delivered clutch pars at the finish to card identical 70s despite battling health issues.

Gan endured a bad headache and a cold start before rescuing her round with two late birdies. Lisa Sarines, meanwhile, battled a bad back but held on for an even-par finish.

Precious Zaragosa shot 72 and did not count.

Mona Sarines turned in the Filipinas’ best round of the day with a gutsy 69, only to see her strong card tarnished by two closing bogeys. Brittany Tamayo finally counted for the team with a 75, while Tashi Balangauan shot 77 and did not count.

The Filipinas remained at the bottom of the standings at 6-over, 20 shots behind Thailand.