The men’s team pushed themselves to the limit on the final day but a 19-point deficit was too big to overcome as Team Philippines salvaged a silver medal in team play at the close of the golf competitions in the 24th Southeast Asian Games held at the Bonanza Golf and Country Club.

The RP amateurs, skippered by national-team coach Bong Lopez, showed its true might, albeit too late, as Ferdinand Aunzo carded a five-under-par 67, Jhonnel Ababa submitted a two-under 70 and Anthony Fernando added an even 72 for the country’s 209 for the day.

“If not for our poor third round, we could have been the winner. Pero ganyan talaga sa golf. Hindi madaling maging consistent sa games,” Lopez told the BusinessMirror.

The women’s team made it double silver for the Philippines when it copped first runner-up against Thailand.

Anya Tanpinco once again led with a three-over 75 which was the same output of SEAG rookie Regina de Guzman, who counted for the team in the three-to-play, two-to-count format for the first time in the 54-hole tournament. Chihiro Ikeda was off-form with a seven-over 79.

But it was the Thais who dominated on Thursday when it assembled a 430 total, nine strokes clear of the Filipina golfers who matched a silver finish two years ago at The Country Club. Two more shots back at 441 was Indonesia.

As solace, Tanpinco also copped a silver medal in individual play. 

Superb performances by Aunzo, Ababa and Fernando yesterday were not enough to give a second consecutive men’s title for the Philippines. But as a consolation, it beat Malaysia and Indonesia despite starting the final round at fourth place.

Overall, the Philippines totaled 858 as it failed in its bid for another gold medal in golf like the way it did in the 2005 Manila SEA Games. It lost a classic duel with eventual champion Thailand while pooled in 838. Indonesia was third with 860 in the four-day event.

Lopez, though, said that he is still very proud of the boys because they never gave up even with the large lead that stared at their faces.

“Napakahirap ng ginawa ng mga bata pero talagang maganda din ang pinalo ng Thailand. Naka under-under nga kami pero we were matched by the Thais’ awesome four-some,” said Lopez.

BELOW THE BELT

NAKHON RATCHASIMA—Cyclist Baby Marites Bitbit goes home with a gold medal around her neck, and so will ageless judoka John Baylon, taekwondo jin Tshomlee Go and the seemingly unbeatable Blu Boys and Blu Girls as the Philippines modestly got back in the thick of things in the Southeast Asian Games Thursday.

It’s return of the king as RP 5 cops gold in men’s basketball

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NAKHON RATCHASIMA—The best finish the country is hoping is fourth. The worst it could get for Team Philippines in the 24th Southeast Asian Games is sixth.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA—Laos will not include three Olympic sports—gymnastics, cycling and basketball—when it hosts the Southeast Asian Games for the first time in 2009.

Men, lady golfers settle for silver, so does Anya

The men’s team pushed themselves to the limit on the final day but a 19-point deficit was too big to overcome as Team Philippines salvaged a silver medal in team play at the close of the golf competitions in the 24th Southeast Asian Games held at the Bonanza Golf and Country Club.

Promise of a major facelift

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is readying for a massive overhaul of the country’s sports program in light of a Southeast Asian Games showing that is way below expectations.

Tough Turf: Equality in giving prize-money

IT is very disappointing to see our countrymen fighting for gold and glory in the ongoing Southeast Asian Games in Thailand and then being waylaid by the onslaught of their rivals.