Last-round charge nets Ababa Del Monte crown

MANILA, Philippines — In one of the most gripping finales of the season, Sarah Ababa clawed back from five strokes down with a fearless charge on the closing holes, then outlasted Chanelle Avaricio in a pressure-packed second playoff hole to capture the ICTSI Del Monte Championship yesterday.

Trailing for most of the day and facing what looked like an insurmountable deficit, Ababa summoned the composure and tenacity of a seasoned warrior, canning birdies in three of the last five holes for a final-round 70 that put her at 211 in a tie with Avaricio, who stumbled home with a 72 after a sizzling start.

“I didn’t expect to win – I was 2-down with two holes to go,” admitted Ababa.

With steely resolve and near-flawless execution, Ababa mounted a stunning comeback that forced a sudden-death.

The two players matched par on their return trip to the par-5 18th. But on the second playoff hole, Ababa unleashed a crisp drive and second shot then followed it up with a precise approach from 75 yards to set up a winning birdie.

In men’s play, Reymon Jaraula carded  a clutch four-under 68, seizing a one-shot lead over Rupert Zaragosa heading into the final round.

With a three-day total of 14-under 202, the Bukidnon native catapulted himself from second to first, bringing him within 18 holes of a storybook redemption – and his fourth career victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“Ang advantage ko dito ay home course ko ‘to at very familiar ako,” said Jaraula, who turned adversity into opportunity after a bogey start and a costly double on the par-4 13th.

He clawed back with a steady front nine capped by an eagle on the par-5 No. 9, then scorched the closing stretch with three straight birdies from No. 14 to seal a resilient 34-34 round.

Now standing on the brink of another triumph, Jaraula is determined not just to win, but to rewrite the ending of last year’s heartbreak at Del Monte, where he fell just one shot short of Clyde Mondilla. This time, he has the crowd behind him, course familiarity on his side, and a steely focus to match.