Japan rallied on the final day, winning 13 1/2 of a possible 22 singles points to capture the third annual USA Hawai 'i-Japan Junior Cup, 23 1/2 to 20 1/2, yesterday at Waikoloa's Kings' Course.

Japan now leads the Cup 2-1, after winning in 2007 and falling to Hawai 'i last year. The event, run in a "Ryder Cup-style" team format, is conducted by the Hawai 'i State Junior Golf Association and Japan High School Golf Association.

Hawai 'i trailed, 6-5, after Friday's Four-Ball matches. It captured seven of the Foursome, or alternate-ball, matches Saturday to go into the final day of singles matches with a 12-10 lead.

The Japan team, dressed in "Tiger Red," tied the Cup at 13-all by winning three of the first four matches yesterday. Scott Yamashita's 1-up victory in the morning's first match was Hawai 'i's only victory.

Tommy Yamashita (5 and 4), Alex Chiarella (3 and 1) won the next two matches, but Japan got big victories in the next two to tie it again. In the day's ninth match, Punahou sixth-grader Allisen Corpuz, the youngest contestant at age 11, put Hawai 'i back ahead with a 2-and-1 victory.

Japan closed fast, winning 8 1/2 points in the final 13 matches to clinch the Cup.

Chiarella, Scott Yamashita, Bradley Shigezawa and Cassy Isagawa won all their matches for Hawai 'i.

"The Hawai 'i team put forward a great effort," said HSJGA President Mary Bea Porter-King, the USA Hawai 'i captain. "They played spirited golf and never stopped battling. I'm very proud of them. I also congratulate the Japan squad for their outstanding play and congratulate all of the young golfers for exhibiting wonderful sportsmanship throughout the week."

SURFING

HO TIES FOR THIRD

Coco Ho of Sunset Beach finished in a tie for third place at the Movistar Peru Classic women's surfing contest yesterday.

The quarterfinals, semifinals and final were run in 3- to 4-foot waves at Lobitos, Piura, Peru.

Ho won her quarterfinal heat, then lost to world champion Stephanie Gilmore of Australia in the semifinals. Gilmore edged Ho, 15.6-15.17.

Gilmore and Ho each scored a 9.0 (out of 10) early in the heat, but Gilmore's next wave out-scored Ho 6.6-6.17.

"It's always hard having a 9 and waiting for your second score, but that's what surfing with the champ is all about," Ho said. "Competing against Steph definitely pushes my surfing and I'm happy with an equal third."

Sofia Mulanovich of Peru won the contest, defeating Gilmore in the final.

The contest was the fifth of seven stops on the 2009 ASP Women's World Tour. Through the first five events, Gilmore is ranked No. 1.

Ho is Hawaii's top-ranked surfer at No. 4. Melanie Bartels of Waianae is No. 6, Alana Blanchard of Kauai is No. 13, and Megan Abubo of Waialua is No. 17.

The final two events of the women's tour will be staged in Hawaii.

RUNNING

SLABY, HAVEY FASTEST

Steve Slaby and Patricia Havey won their respective divisions of the Saucony Val Nolasco Half Marathon yesterday.

Slaby was the overall male open winner in 1 hour, 13 minutes, 58.8 seconds.

Havey was the top female finisher in 1:33:52.7.