Team Southeast Asia asserts dominance over Team Philippines

Team Southeast Asia aborted Team Philippines’ early rally with victories in the middle singles matches and cruised to an 18-13 triumph in the Pradera Verde Ladies Challenge 2 at Pradera Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga, on Wednesday.

Thais Prampun Kultida routed Bernice Olivarez-Ilas in the third pairing, 7&6, Phannarai Meesom-us dominated young Laurea Duque, 6&5, in the fifth and Malaysian Ashley Lau trounced Nicole Abelar, 4&3, securing the three points the visitors needed to duplicate their 19.5-10.5 conquest of the hosts in the 2017 edition of the event.

Like in last year’s inaugurals, Team SEA took a commanding 12.5-7.5 lead heading to the 11-pair singles duels.

The Filipinos put up one final stand with Yuka Saso and Mikha Fortuna disposing of Michela Tjan of Indonesia, 2&1, and Audrey Tan of Malaysia, 3&2, respectively, to move within three points.

But Kultida whipped Ilas and Meeson-us ripped Duque after Harmie Constantino edged Pimkwan Chookaew of Thailand, 1-up, in the fourth match before Lau whipped Abelar to clinch the victory.

Singaporean Shannon Tan and Thai Onkanok Soisuwan then trounced Annyka Cayabyab, 1-up, and Tomi Arejola, 5&3, respectively, to cap their dominance.