Superal’s 69 lifts Filipinas to 2-shot lead in Queen Sirikit Cup

MANILA, Philippines — Princess Superal took over from where teammate Miya Legaspi left off, shooting a three-under-par 69 to power the Philippines to a two-stroke lead over China and South Korea and closer to a breakthrough victory in the Queen Sirikit Cup at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Malaysia on Thursday.

With ICTSI teammate Pauline del Rosario recovering from a horrendous 84 Wednesday with a gutsy 72, the Filipino golfers assembled 141 and broke their tie with first-round co-leader South Korea with 284 heading to the final round of the 54-hole championship.

South Korea, which dominated the event for six straight years since 2007 at The Country Club before Australia triumphed in Taiwan last year, carded a second straight 143 for 286.

China gained a share of second by matching the Philippines’ 141 output 36 holes through the 13-country Asia Pacific tournament.

Legaspi, who had a 69 in the first round, settled for a 73 Thursday and failed to count.

Legaspi slipped to a tie for second with Taiwan’s Hsu Chia-cheng (67) and Korea’s Lee So-young (71) in individual play with 142, four behind China’s Shi Yuting (70-38).