Garcia, Vasandani pull away

The Philippines’ Paolo Garcia and Vijay Vasandani and Kao Teng and Chiang Chien-Lin of Taiwan scored different third day efforts yesterday to virtually rule their divisions in the seventh Samsung Philippine International Junior Golf Championship.

Garcia came up with an 80 to go with his earlier 80 and 90 to take an 11-shot lead in the special division while Vasandani, representing Cebu, carded an 86 for a 21-stroke lead in Class D’s Division Two with 176.

Kao came up with a two under par 70 to erect a 14-shot lead with one round to go in the Division One of the boys’ Class D. He had earlier played the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club’s East course with a 73 for 143.

Chiang made a 92 to go with an earlier 93 to pull away in the Division Two of the boys’ Class B with 271.

Samsung is the tournament’s title sponsor. Other supporters are Cebu Pacific, Pagcor, Pacsports, Morello Tours, Herma Group of Companies, San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Toyota Otis, Philippine Flour Mills, Gilberto Duavit, Takanobu Taira, Airlift Asia Inc., Raul Jorge, Sysu International, Holiday Inn Galleria Manila, Triplex Tent and Golf Gallery.

While Kao, Chiang, Garcia and Vasandani will be enjoying comfortable leads today, the hunt for the other class titles is expected to be cliffhangers.

Thailand’s Chitratanatham Chakrit shot a 74 to reclaim the Division One lead in Class A with 231, but compatriot Anusorn Songsem shot a 79 to remain the most serious pursuer with 254.

Malaysia’s Choo Sian Daniel Ng scored an 80 to dislodge the Philippines’ Matthew Manotoc at the top in Class A’s Division Two with a three-day total of 252.

Manotoc, son of noted amateur Tommy and Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, scored an 86 to go with his earlier rounds of 78 and 90 for second with 254.

Carlos Fabregas of the Philippines came up with an 80 to keep the Class B Division One lead with 255. Second at 259 was Cebu’s Edsel Tan after shooting an 84.

Crystal Superal sizzled with a 71 to go with an impressive first-round 68 to widen her lead in the Division One of the 12 and under class with 139.

Hong Kong’s Demi Mak came up with a 73 and Thailand’s Phuntmabamrung Panpak scored a 74 to share second place at 144.

The Philippines’ Maria Andrea Unson shot a 79 and compatriot Nicole Clara Serapio made an 81 to take the first two slots in Division Two in the 12 and under class with 161 and 166, respectively.