Saban eyes back-to-back at Riviera

MANILA, Philippines - Coming off a breakthrough win last week, Elmer Saban goes for higher stakes this time as he goes for two-in-row in the richer ICTSI Riviera Classic set to fire off Wednesday at Riviera’s Langer course in Silang, Cavite.

Saban edged Cassius Casas by one to capture the Splendido Classic crown last Friday with the Davaoeño shotmaker hoping to keep the momentum of his breakthrough win in the upcoming P2.5 million event staking a whopping top purse of P450,000, twice more than what he got (P200,000) at Splendido.

“I hope to keep going at Riviera. It will be tough but I’ll do my best again,” said Saban.For sure, it will be a lot tougher at Riviera. Not only will it be a 72-hole championship but also it will be held at the dreaded, ravine-laced par-71 Langer layout, which features narrow fairways and requires length off the tee.

A slew of fancied players will also be out to foil his back-to-back title bid in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., including Casas, ICTSI Palos Verdes leg winner Michael Bibat and former ICTSI Riviera Classic champions Mhark Fernando and Jhonnel Ababa.

“I’m good, I’m back. My ball striking is quite okay and I feel confident of my chances,” said Casas, who used to dominate the local circuit until poor form and personal woes slowed him down.

Meanwhile, the leading pros team up with their amateur partners from the event’s chief backers, including Nike Golf, Srixon, Custom Clubmakers, Pacsports, Cleveland Golf, Callaway, Ping, Mizuno, Empire Golf and Sports Shop, FootJoy, Titleist, Sharp, BMW and Gergia Energy Foods, in the pro-am tournament tomorrow.