Jhonnel Ababa completes wire-to-wire Del Monte romp

MANILA, Philippines — Jhonnel Ababa nailed his first victory since winning the rain-shortened Club Filipino de Cebu Invitational last year, ruling the ICTSI Del Monte Championship, which he virtually reduced into a 54-hole affair with a brilliant showing in the first three days of the P2.5 million event in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Not even Reymon Jaraula’s blistering frontside five-under 31 in a flight ahead nor Ababa’s late-hole mishaps could tilt the balance for the former as the latter had built too huge a lead with three straight 67s to be daunted by the homegrown talent and recent Pueblo de Oro winner in pursuit of the elusive championship.

Ababa turned in his worst card at the tight Del Monte layout in four days – a 71 marred by a double bogey on No. 15 and a bogey on the 17th, miscues that blemished what had been a fine start of four birdies in the first 11 holes that all but wrapped up the crown yesterday.

He did stick to his game plan to slow down after doubling his 36-hole lead to four over Zanieboy Gialon and a charging Clyde Mondilla and moving six-up over Jaraula Friday, frustrating his pursuers no end with his solid start to complete his four-day romp on a 16-under 272 total worth P450,000.