Ababa rallies from 7 down for 1-shot win

SILANG, Cavite, Philippines  – Jhonnel Ababa completed one of the most improbable comebacks on the ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, rallying from seven strokes down and annexing the ICTSI Riviera Classic crown with a one-stroke victory over Cassius Casas as erstwhile leader Jay Bayron collapsed with an 81 at Riviera’s Langer course here yesterday.

Ababa gunned down three birdies in the last 11 holes in second-to-last flight to fuel his title drive then watched Bayron throw away four strokes in the last six holes to snatch the crown, his second in the last five legs of the circuit.

He wound up with a 217, four-over at the wind-raked, hazard-laden par-71 layout.

It was a virtual repeat of his come-from-behind triumph in the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge last July where he fought back from five strokes down then beat Bayron in the first playoff hole to record his maiden win on the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

‘I didn’t pressure myself,” added Ababa. “I just tried to make birdies to get a good finish.”

With Bayron turning in his worst game in years, Ababa gained the best placing.

“I was just lucky and Jay had a bad game,” said Ababa, who banked another P200,000 from the total prize fund of P1 million in the 11th leg of the 16-stage tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

Bayron, who appeared headed for another romp after storming to a five-shot lead over Rey Pagunsan and seven over Ababa with 18 holes to play, bogeyed the first three holes in windy condition, made another three-string bogey from No. 5 before dropping two strokes on No. 9 against a lone birdie on No. 8 for a horrible 42.

He birdied No. 10 but made four bogeys in the last six holes for that nine-over 81 in a bizarre fold-up from a player who routed the field at Aboitiz Invitational presented by ICTSI with a startling five-under 30 at the backside of Cebu Country Club three weeks ago.

“I had a tough day out there. The wind was so strong from the start,” rued Bayron, whose first drive landed on the fairway rough of No. 2.

Casas, who shared the first-round lead with Antonio Asistio II but reeled back with a 77 in the second round, three-putted No. 17 and missed forcing a playoff with Ababa. He also shot a 70 but fell short by one with a 218 worth P120,000.

“If not for my 77 in the second round, I would’ve won this one,” said Casas, who last won at ICTSI Del Monte last year.

Playing in third to the last flight, Casas matched par 35 at the front to catch up with Ababa and made two birdies against a bogey at the back to remain tied for the lead. But he three-putted the 17th to fall behind and missed an eight-footer for birdie on the tough finishing hole.

Fernando settled for solo third with a 219 after a 73 while Bayron, the reigning Order of Merit champion, tumbled down to fourth with a 221.

Asistio carded a 74 and wound up tied for fifth with Richard Sinfuego (72) and Pagunsan (77) at 222 while Mhark Fernando matched Bayron’s tournament-best 67 in the second round with his own four-under card as he salvaged solo eighth at 223.

Korean Wang Jeung Hun made a 74 and emerged the top amateur with a 224 as he shared ninth place with Randy Garalde (74) and Jerson Balasabas (75) in the tournament backed by MJ Carr Golf Management, Srixon and Callaway.