MANILA, Philippines - Miguel Tabuena tries to put behind all the pent-up emotions of his sorry setback at Camp John Hay in Baguio last week as he shoots for another victory in the ICTSI Calatagan Challenge unfolding Wednesday at the Calatagan Golf Club in Batangas.
Tabuena went without a bogey for 58 holes at John Hay and closed out with four-under 64 but still lost to a hot-charging Jay Bayron on the second playoff hole and missed annexing a second straight championship after dominating the field at ICTSI Sherwood last March.
But the 18-year-old Tabuena hopes to play in tip-top condition this week after being bothered by a bum stomach in the last two days in Baguio, making him one of the marked men in the 54-hole tournament serving as the third leg of the 15-stage circuit sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
Mhark Fernando, who beat Rufino Bayron by five here last year, is also tipped to contend for the crown, upbeat of his chances for back-to-back title romp despite a mediocre stint in the first two legs, finishing joint eighth at Sherwood and 15th in Baguio.
Rufino Bayron is also due for a breakthrough victory after a strong fourth place finish in Baguio which he led in the first round along with Jhonnel Ababa, Michael Bibat, Clyde Mondilla, Richard Sinfuego and Zanie Boy Gialon.