Fernando spearheads ‘strong’ RP Putra team

MANILA, Philippines—Seeking to snap a 19-year drought, the Philippines formed a strong four-man squad it feels has all the tools to finally reclaim the Putra Cup.   Reigning Indonesian and Malaysian Am champ Mark Fernando banners the team that will try to put the Philippines back on top of the Southeast Asian region event that celebrates its 50th anniversary in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Sept. 27.   Jonel Ababa, Jessie Balasabas and Miguel Tabuena round out the roster that will try to win for the first time since 1991 when a squad made up of Rey Pagunsan, Richard Sinfuego, Gerard Cantada and Antonio Lascuna triumphed in Myanmar.   The Philippines has not come close to winning the Putra Cup in ages, with the development of Thailand and Singapore as regional powers and even Malaysia coming into its own.   But this newly formed team will be armed to the teeth, with stints here and abroad that also was the selection basis of the governing National Golf Association of the Philippines.   “It’s about time that we get back what was once ours,” Tommy Manotoc, a member of several champion RP Teams in the event and chair of the NGAP’s national team development, told the Inquirer.   “We have a good chance with the team we have,” he added.   Save for the rookie Tabuena, all the others are products of the National Caddies’ Open program that led Canlubang into five straight PAL Interclub Men’s titles.