by Rey Bancod
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar — Princess Superal caught fire Wednesday as the Philippines closed in on a possible sweep of the women's golf event of the 27th Southeast Asian Games at the Royal Myanmar Golf Club.
The 16-year-old prodigy made four birdies in a five-hole stretch, including one she made from the greenside bunker to finish the second round at six-under par 66.
It was her best round this year outside the country – eclipsed only by her nine-under effort when she won a pro tournament in Baguio City a few months ago.
"I just got lucky. Kinuha ko yata lahat ng suwerte ng mga ka-flightmates ko," said Superal who shot even par in the first round.
With a two-round total of 138, Superal now leads the individual event by six shots over Myanmar's Yin May Myo.
The Filipinas also padded their lead by seven shots in the team event after Katrina Delen-Briones bounced back with a 73, seven strokes better than her opening round.
Mia Legaspi, who matched par Tuesday, made five bogeys against three bogeys for 75 and did not count.
"All the girls need tomorrow is to play the way they're playing now. A couple of 72s, I think, should be enough to win," said coach Carito Villaroman.
The length of the course appears to favor the Filipinas who are used to this condition, according to Villaroman.
Superal, who started in the back nine, drained a six-footer for her first birdie on the par-5, No. 3, the second most difficult hole of the course.
She found the bunker on No. 14 and could not save par from a bad lie for her only bogey of the day.
Superal birdied No. 15 from six feet and tapped in for two-feet on No. 17 to make the turn at two-under.
Then, the planets aligned in the last nine holes.
She picked up her fourth birdie from four feet on No. 2, made that no-putt birdie on No. 3 and had a two-footer for birdie on No. 4.
On the par-5, No. 6, Superal sank a downhill putt from 16 feet for her seventh birdie.
Superal has had a great year this year with five international title under her belt, a gold medal here would serve as the icing on the cake.
The Filipinas have a two-day total of 283 with Myanmar and Thailand taking second and third spots with 290 and 295, respectively.
In men's play, Thailand also poised a sweep after taking the first three spots in the individual standings.
The Filipinos broke par as a team for the first time, but still lagged behind in seventh spot with 655, 33 points behind the Thais.
Jobim Carlos turned in a 71 while Rupert Zaragosa and Justin Quilban each carded a 72 in the third round.
Thai Danthai Boonma is on top of the men's individual standings with a 10-under 106 total with compatriots Nattawat Suvajanakorn and Poom Saksansin tied for second with Malaysian Gavin Kyle Green at six-under 210.
The Thais lead Myanmar by 10 shots in the team event.
http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/superal-rp-ladies-poised-for-golf-sweep/
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