Mark Fernando rebounded from a lackluster first round but all others failed to produce the needed numbers that forced defending champion Philippines to skid down to fourth place and trail host Thailand by seven strokes halfway through the men’s golf competition in the SEA Games on Tuesday.

                Meanwhile, Anya Tanpinco showed her experience in the SEA Games as she paced with a two-under-par 70 and Chihiro Ikeda supported with a one-over 73 for a 143 that towed the Philippines to a two-point lead against Thailand’s 145 in the distaff side.

                Indonesia was third with 147, while Malaysia was fourth with 152.

                Fernando, who was jittery and tentative on Day One, finally settled down and was impeccable with his iron shots and putting yesterday. He carded a one-under-par 71—a far cry from his 74 yesterday—to lead RP’s campaign for a consecutive crown.

                But while Fernando, 23, had a relatively easy time at the par-72 Bob Farland course, Ferdinand Aunzo, Anthony Fernando and Jhonnel Ababa struggled.

                After a 70 on Monday, Aunzo churned out a decent even-par 72, while first-day top point maker Anthony Fernando only managed a five-over 77 this time for the Philippines’ 220 output for the day and 459 aggregate in 36 holes.

                National team coach Bong Lopez said that Mark Fernando and Aunzo would have made four- or five-under scores, but both bungled many birdie-putt chances.

                “Our boys will have to elevate their games a notch higher in the penultimate round today. It’s going to be an uphill climb, though. Good thing is we know what we have to do and we’ll be doing our country proud,” said Lopez.

                Jhonnel Ababa, RP’s fourth man, limped home with a seven-over 79 and did not count in the four-to-play, three-to-count format.

                “Off form lang si Anthony Fernando and Ababa kahapon. I’m very sure that they’ll bounce back strong,” Lopez said.

                “If we truly want the gold medal, we’ll have to shoot under pars. We have to negate the long hitters of Thailand to win,” Lopez added.

                Thailand tallied 452 and grabbed the top spot from overnight leader Indonesia, which assembled a 458 for a two-way tie for second with Malaysia. Adrian Flores

Victory Ride    

NAKHON RATCHASIMA—Save for the coaching staff and the rest of Team Cycling Philippines, no one saw it coming, officials of the Philippine delegation included.

Whether taekwondo still RP bailiwick to be known as jin action begins today

NAKHON RATCHASIMA—It’s the turn of the taekwondo jins to shoot for golds Wednesday and eyes are on Marie Antoinette Rivero who is eyeing a third straight mint in these 24th edition of the Southeast Asian Games.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA— Malaysia would hardly matter but just the same, the Philippine men’s basketball team is not taking any chances.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA—The Filipino paddlers are living up to expectations and are competing as favorites for the gold medal in dragon boat’s (traditional boat race) men’s 1,000 meters Tuesday.

SEAG Secretariat head Mundo trip to Kuwait with PSC blessing

Philippine Sports Commissioner Joey Mundo should attend to his responsibilities as head of Team Philippines Secretariat but instead he is in Kuwait on an “unspecified” official trip.

Lady golfers ahead; men fall to fourth

Mark Fernando rebounded from a lackluster first round but all others failed to produce the needed numbers that forced defending champion Philippines to skid down to fourth place and trail host Thailand by seven strokes halfway through the men’s golf competition in the SEA Games on Tuesday.

Work out with Manny, receive $1,000

MANNY Pacquiao better be ready once he starts his sparring sessions in preparation for his next fight.

In an interview with Sports Radio yesterday morning, American trainer Freddie Roach said he is now on the look out for a few but quality sparring partners for his prized ward.

Greenside Chip: Did Southwoods make the wrong call?      

FOR the fourth straight year, Manila Southwoods had a disappointing windup in another runner-up honor in the Fil championship division of the recent 58th edition of the Fil-Am Golf Invitational played in Baguio City. But despite the piling up of second-place finishes, the Cavite-based squad still created more noise than the overall champion Club Marinduque.