Lascuña out to prick Mondilla’s bubble

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Homegrown talent Tony Lascuña knows too well how a winning streak works then vowed to do everything he can to halt Clyde Mondilla from completing a three-peat on home turf.

But it will take more than inspiration from the local crowd to carry out the mission as Mondilla comes into the ICTSI South Pacific Classic unfolding today brimming with confidence following victories at the rolling Forest Hills in Antipolo last June and in his domain at Del Monte Golf Club last Friday.

“Clyde (Mondilla) is on a roll. His confidence is high and he’s playing great golf. It will be tough to beat him but there’s always a chance,” said Lascuña, whose game somewhat went on a downswing after dominating the Caliraya Springs leg last April.

He tied for seventh at Luisita, wound up joint sixth at Valley, shared fifth place at Forest Hills and finished at tied for ninth at Del Monte.

“I’ve been working on my putting. I know I would yield some yardage off the tee against the Tour’s long hitters but I can measure up with them in hybrid or iron play and wedge shots. But the key here is putting,” added Lascuña.

With the right strokes, he produced seven birdies en route to a course-record tying 66 at the South Pacific Golf Club, turning what had been a tight final-round battle into a three-stroke victory over Ira Alido and earning the bragging rights as the first winner of the event in 2019.

Still, Lascuña said it will be a toss-up in the next four days with the loaded roster all aiming to nail a victory in the Philippine Golf Tour season about to end. The field includes Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour regulars Justin Quiban, Angelo Que and Lloyd Go, leg winners Reymon Jaraula, Rupert Zaragosa, Jhonnel Ababa and Alido, Dutch Guido van Der Valk, and local aces Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Elmer Saban, Ramil Bisera and Mhark Fernando, among others.