INQUIRER Sports

VIENTIANE, Laos ? Chihiro Ikeda powered the Philippine women?s team to victory, then made it a double kill by clinching the individual gold in a sudden-death playoff Monday at the 25th Southeast Asian Games here.

The 18-year-old Filipino-Japanese and Dottie Ardina carded a two-under-par 70 each for a 140 total and a 425 aggregate as the Philippines dethroned Thailand by three strokes.

Ikeda finished tied with two-day individual leader Yupaporn Kawinpaporn after 54 holes at 210, then clinched the crown by sinking a five-footer for par on the third extra hole of their playoff at the Booyoung Golf Club.

The twin golds more than made up for the third-place finish of the men?s squad, which missed forging a three-way playoff for the title with Thailand and Singapore by two strokes.

The team of Mhark Fernando, Antonio Asistio II, Jhonel Ababa and Judes Eustaquio also staged a brave run at the crown, but fell short despite a day-best 210 for an 847 total.

Thailand, which eventually nipped Singapore to retain the men?s team title, closed with a 212 for 845 like the silver medalists, who had a 211 for the day.

?I told my girls to just play their games and never be intimidated by the Thais,? said coach Bong Lopez. ?I am very impressed because our players matched their rivals shot per shot.?

So inspired were the RP girls the even-par 72 of Mia Piccio did not count.

Thidapa Suwannapura carded a 70 while Yupaporn had a 72 for Thailand?s 142 and a 428 total. Malaysia took the bronze behind Kelly Tan?s 70 and Ainil Abu Bakar?s 72.

Ikeda?s double gold medal recalled a similar feat in the 2005 Manila SEA Games by the now-pro star Juvic Pagunsan, who clinched the individual crown after leading the Filipinos to the team title.

Ikeda and Yupaporn played the 18th hole three times in their playoff before Chihiro clinched it after her rival missed a six-footer.

Despite failing to match their silver finish in 2007, men?s coach Tommy Manotoc expressed satisfaction with his wards? performance.

?They did well,? said Manotoc, who took over from Lopez just days before the Games started. ?The future looks good with these guys around.?