Tabuena tops Bayron, cops second diadem

BINANGONAN, Philippines  – Young Miguel Tabuena outgunned veteran Jay Bayron in a final round shootout, firing a two-under 70 and winning the P1 million ICTSI Eastridge Classic crown by three for his second leg win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

Unlike in his come-from-behind triumph at ICTSI Splendido last March, Tabuena seized control in the early going this time, using a two-shot swing on No. 3 to move on top then building a big cushion at the turn (34) before hanging tough at the back to beat Bayron and pocket another P200,000.

He wound up with an eight-under 208 that included a 70 and a second round 68 that kept him in step with Bayron, who hobbled with a 38 after nine holes and limped home with a 73 for a 211 in the tournament organized by the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Three others finished at five-under total to tie Bayron, including ICTSI Sherwood Hills leg winner Elmer Salvador, ICTSI Eagle Ridge champion Tony Lascuna and three-time Asian Tour winner Angelo Que.

Salvador moved to within three with a birdie on No. 10 but never got closer with pars the rest of the way for a 68 while Lascuna closed to within two with a birdie on the 17th but settled for par on the last hole, which Tabuena birdied for the third straight day, for a 69.

Que rallied with a 33 to save a 69 and force a four-way tie for second worth P68,666 each.

His second victory in just five legs of the 16-stage ICTSI PGT is expected to further boost Tabuena’s confidence heading to the next stage at ICTSI Manila Southwoods on June 27-30 and in his campaign on the Asian Tour.

It was another final round meltdown for Bayron, who blew a five-shot lead with a closing 77 and lost the Eagle Ridge crown to Lascuna, who sizzled with a 66 to win by six.

Lascuna was also in yesterday’s championship flight, but Tabuena proved he’s up to the challenge, humbling his seasoned rivals with a solid start and a gutsy windup to nail his second championship in the circuit sponsored by International Container Terminals Services, Inc.

Marvin Dumandan, winner at ICTSI John Hay, shot a 71 and finished solo sixth at 214 while Charles Hong, who skippered Team South’s romp over Team North in last week’s inaugural Duel – North vs South at Alabang, fired a 69 and tied last year’s champion Juvic Pagunsan, who matched par 72, for seventh at 215.

Mars Pucay, who shared the first round lead with Bayron, carded a 74 and ended up tied for ninth with Orlan Sumcad (71), Michael Bibat (72) and Rufino Bayron (73) at 216.

Tied with Bayron at the start of the final round, Tabuena reeled back with a bogey opening but bounced back just as quickly with a birdie on the par-3 No. 3, which Bayron bogeyed for a two-shot swing that gave him the lead he never relinquished.

Back to back birdies from No. 5 coupled with Bayron’s another bogey on No. 4 put Tabuena ahead by four.