VIENTIANE – A remarkable sweep in women’s golf fueled a six-gold rush for the Philippines Monday as the Southeast Asian Games approached the homestretch.

Chihiro Ikeda became the second athlete after swimmer Miguel Molina to win two gold medals as the Philippines and Thailand split the four golds on offer at the close of the four-day golf competition at the SEA Games Golf Club.

Billiards produced its first two gold medals, muay delivered its first while athletics nailed its third as the Filipinos set their sights on fifth place.

The Philippines still sits comfortably in sixth with 18 golds, just three behind Indonesia and three ahead of pesky Laos. It also has 19 silvers and 23 bronzes.

Thailand, getting four victories in athletics, pulled away with 42 golds, leaving Vietnam in far second with 31 golds. Singapore kept third spot with 27 golds followed by Malaysia with 22.

After six hours of gruelling battle under scorching heat, the young women’s golf team foiled Thailand’s bid for a repeat of its four-gold sweep in 2007.

Ikeda and Dottie Ardina each fired a 70 to power the team to a three-shot win and Ikeda added the individual gold following her playoff win over Yupaporn Kawinpakorn.

The victories helped ease the disappointment suffered by the men’s squad which settled for the bronze medal after missing the playoffs for the gold by two shots.

Thailand edged Singapore in the team playoffs and added the individual gold to its collection.

Ronnie Alcano successfully defended his 8-ball pool singles title against compatriot Gandy Valle, 7-1, at the Don Chan Palace hotel.

In the women’s 8-ball pool singles final, Rubilen Amit outclassed Angeline Ticoal, 5-1.

The victories came after Efren “Bata” Reyes and Reynaldo Grandea bowed out of English Billiards after losing their preliminary matches.

In athletics, Rene Herrera retained the 3,000-meter steeplechase unchallenged, breezing home in 9:11.20, 16 minutes ahead of Patikarn Pechsricha of Thailand.

Mercedita Manipol-Fetalvero won a bronze in the women’s 5,000-meter run.

In muay, lightweight Zaidi Laruan defeated Vixay Bounthavy of Laos to avert an embarrassing shutout.

Two other fighters, Romnick Pabalate and Jonathan Polosan gun for more golds Tuesday.