KUALA LUMPUR – Golfer Lois Kaye Go lost the lead and tennis player Katharina Lehnert was eliminated as the Philippines struggled in non-final events in the 29th Southeast Asian Games.
After a sizzling start of 66 at the Mines Resort and Golf Club Tuesday, Go went cold with a three-over par 74 for 140 to trail Atthaya Thitikul and Thitapa P. of Thailand by four shots going into the final round of the 54-hole women’s individual event.
Atthaya fired a 66 while Thitapa had a 77 to share the lead at 136.
The other PH entries lagged behind in the standing: Harmie Constantino 74-70-144 and Junia Gabasa 75-77-152.
In the men’s event, Rupert Zaragosa bowed out of contention following a 77 and 141 overall, six shots behind the Singapore co-leaders Gregory Foo and Marc Ong.
The other PH results: Carl Corpus 71-74-145, Paolo Wong 78-72-150 and Jolo Magcalayo 77-74-151.
In tennis, Lehnert bowed to L. Kumikhum, 6-1, 6-3, in women’s singles.
Clarice Patrombon, however, kept the Philippine flag afloat with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 win over B. Gumulya of Indonesia to reach the semifinals.
In men’s singles, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon fell against separate opponents.
Alcantara bowed to Jirat Navasirisomboon, 6-2, 6-3, while Patrombon was sent packing by Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, 6-4, 7-5.
The tandem of Ruben Gonzales and Alcantara, however, won their opening match against A. Sasongko and S. Truati of Indonesia, 7-5, 6-3.
In squash, Jemyca Aribado and Alyssa Dalida of the Philippines defeated Thailand, 2-0, to reach the final of the women’s jumbo doubles.
However, the men’s tandem lost to Singapore, 2-1, to settle for the bronze.
In indoor hockey, the Philippines lost to Indonesia, 14-0, in the men’s division and Singapore, 5-0, in the women’s bracket.
Meanwhile, the fancied women’s volleyball team plunges into action at 2 p.m. against Malaysia.
