NGAp drops saso from future phl teams
The National Golf Association of the Philippines has recommended to the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee that Yuka Saso be removed from the national training pool and excluded the Fil-Japanese shotmaker from future national teams.
That includes stints in this year’s Putra Cup and the APGC Junior Championship, the World Amateur in Ireland next year, and the World Junior Ladies in Canada, where she won the individual crown and powered the Phl to the team championship last year.
This came about after Saso decided to pull out of the national team vying in next month’s Southeast Asian Games without valid reason, leaving the golf body with no recourse but remove her from the SEAG roster.
Junia Gabasa took over her post and joined Harmie Constantino and Lois Kaye Go in the national team.
The NGAP rued losing Saso for the SEAG but clarified it did not drop its top player from the roster for the biennial games in Kuala Lumpur.
In fact, the NGAP has sought out for the 16-yearold ace and his father after news broke out that she has opted to pull out of the team’s stint.
There were reports that Saso has a slew of international commitments and some run in conflict with the SEAG schedule.
The NGAP also disclosed that it had even endorsed the reigning national champion and match play winner to play in the Suntory Ladies Open and the Japan Ladies Amateur with the understanding that Saso would play in the SEA Games.
“We have submitted her name on the date of the (SEAG) deadline only for her to decline ‘via text message’ that she will not be joining the team,” said NGAP president Caloy Coscolluela.
“We would like to correct the misimpression that the NGAP dropped her from the roster. The fact is that they decided to renege on a previous commitment (to play for flag and country),” said the NGAP chief.
With Saso as spearhead, the NGAP had hoped the sport would deliver in KL after getting shut out in Singapore two years ago where Thailand swept the four gold medals disputed in the men’s and women’s divisions. The Philippines last won the SEAG gold in 2013 behind Princess Superal in the individual competition and the team gold with Katrina Briones and Clare Legaspi.