Ababa eyes back-to-back PGT victories in Pueblo

MANILA, Philippines —   Having snapped a two-year title drought, Jhonnel Ababa hopes to ride the momentum and growing confidence from his victory last week as he shoots for back-to-back championships in the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship, which blasts off Monday in Cagayan de Oro City.

Ababa overcame a nerve-wracking, see-saw battle in Iloilo, coming from behind with clutch birdies on the final two holes to force a tie with Jeffren Lumbo and then claim his 14th Philippine Golf Tour victory.

Unlike his previous victory at Apo Golf in 2024, when he prevailed in a sudden-death playoff over Guido van der Valk before a home crowd, Ababa said his Iloilo triumph felt like a blessing that came when he least expected it. He had trailed Lumbo by three heading into the final stretch.

With the odds seemingly stacked against him, Ababa could only credit his faith on turning the tide.