The Philippines kept second place but defending champion Thailand boosted its lead to six strokes after the penultimate round of Southeast Asia’s official team championship at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur.
With only teenager Miguel Tabuena cracking par, the Filipinos could only muster a third-day 216 output even as the Thais moved ominously close to another Putra Cup conquest with a day-best 211.
The Thais, who gained 12 strokes on the Filipinos in the last two days, have a 54-hole 648 total after Attachai Jaichalad shot a 4-under 68, Suparkorn Utaipat added a 70 and Wasin Sripattranusorn contributed a 73.
The Philippines actually lagged behind by as many as 12, until the 16-year-old Tabuena, playing in a regular men’s event for the country for the first time, birdied five of his last seven holes for a 69.
Jonel Ababa carded a 73 and Mark Fernando gutted out a 74, as Jessie Balasabas did not count for the second time in three rounds after blowing a one-under card on the front nine to finish with a 77.
However, non-playing Philippine captain Tommy Manotoc said his boys are due for an explosive round of their own.
“It is not impossible,” Manotoc said in an overseas call to the Inquirer.
“We can still do it but we need low rounds from the boys, and after what has happened in the last two rounds, I think they’re due for one.”
Manotoc noted that his guarantee of the ICTSI-backed Philippines “definitely finishing better than third place” has been achieved, with Singapore faltering and Malaysia now well behind the field.
“We have improved on our third-place finishes in the last two years, but our ultimate goal is to win it all,” the many-time RP team ace added.
Indonesia overtook Singapore in third spot with a 217 for 671 after the Singaporeans, the 2008 champions, could do no better than a 229 for 672. Malaysia fired 231 for the day for fifth at 683.
The Philippines, meanwhile, practically nailed the Lion City Cup after Jobim Carlos fired a 70, Clyde Mondilla a 72 and Andres Saldana 73 for a day-best 215 that gave the under-18 Filipino boys a 19-stroke lead heading into the final round.
The women’s team also remained in the Santi Cup hunt as Andie Unson fired a 72 and Dottie Ardina and Irina Gabasa shot a 74 and 76, respectively.
Chihiro Ikeda also had a 76 but her score did not count after Gabasa checked in earlier.
The Filipinas stood just four strokes behind Thailand, which had a 666 total following a 221 from the 73s of Pinrath Looboonruang and Yupaporn Kawinpakorn and a 75 from Pavarisa Yok-tuan.
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