MANILA, Philippines — Sarah Ababa conjured another of her signature back-nine rallies to fire a 65 and snatch a breathtaking one-stroke victory over hometown ace Florence Bisera in the ICTSI South Pacific Classic in Davao yesterday.
Just two weeks after staging a similar come-from-behind win at Del Monte – where she edged Chanelle Avaricio in two playoff holes – Ababa found herself in an eerily familiar position, needing to attack on inward nine. She did.
Ababa’s 11-under 205 total earned her the P114,000 champion’s purse and, more importantly, solidified her reputation as the circuit’s comeback queen. More so, she firmed up her bid for the coveted Order of Merit title.
Bisera settled for second at 206, while Avaricio – who clinched the Apo leg last week – carded a 67 to finish third at 208. Princess Superal followed closely with a 67 of her own for a 209 total.
Meanwhile, Russell Bautista fashioned out a superb five-under-par 67 to surge past Jeffren Lumbo and into the lead in men’s play.